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OUTLINES 


WITH 

EETERENCES  TO  HYMNS 

IN  THE 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  HYMN-BOOK  OF  THE  METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL  CHUECH,  SOUTH; 

AND 

m  JittroiJuctorg  ©ssag  on  Composition:  anb  ^di 


REVISED   BY   THOS.    0.   SUMMERS. 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  &  LOUISVILLE,  KT.: 
PUBLISHED   BY   JOHN    EARLY, 

FOR  THE   METHODIST  EPISCOPAL   CHURCH,  SOUTHi 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1854,  by 

JOHN  EARLY, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District 
of  Virginia. 


STEREOTYPED  BT  L.  JOHNSON  ft  CO. 
PHILADELPHIA. 


PRINTED  B¥   SMITH   AND   PETER3. 


EDITORIAL  NOTE. 


IN  revising  this  little  work,  the  editor  has 
taken  the  liberty  to  correct  the  style  in  a  few 
places,  and  occasionally  to  add  a  line  or  two, 
where  he  thought  it  necessary  to  do  so.  He 
has  also  appended  to  each  "  Outline"  the 
first  lines  of  three  or  four  of  the  "  Hymns 
for  Schools  and  Families,"  recently  published 
for  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 
They  are  to  be  sung  before  and  after  the 
Lecture,  as  circumstances  may  suggest.  Su- 
perintendents and  others,  who  may  use  this 
book,  would  do  well  to  peruse  carefully  the 
Introductory  Essay  on  the  composition  and 
delivery  of  a  Sunday-school  lecture.  Some 
hints  on  this  subject  may  also  be  found  in 
our  little  book,  entitled,  "  The  Sunday-School 
Teacher ;  or,  the  Catechetical  Office,"  which 
ought  to  accompany  the  present  volume. 

THE  EDITOR. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  April  1,  1854. 

3 


PREFACE. 


SOME  years  ago,  when  the  writer  of  the 
following  pages  became  connected  with  Sab- 
bath-schools, such  a  volume  as  the  present 
would  have  been  hailed  by  him  as  a  valuable 
addition  to  the  helps  he  possessed.  He 
early  learned  to  appreciate  the  excellent 
manuals  in  general  use,  but  as  those  which 
contained  Sabbath-school  addresses  con- 
tained them  complete,  there  was  little  to 
call  forth  the  sanctified  ingenuity  of  the 
teacher ;  besides,  such  a  variety  of  subjects 
as  is  found  in  this  volume  would  have  oc- 
cupied many  volumes  in  a  complete  form. 

Since  the  period  above  referred  to,  many 
valuable  additions  have  been  made  to  Sab- 
bath-school literature;  and  yet,  so  far  as 
the  writer  is  aware,  nothing  has  been  given 
in  the  shape  of  a  volume  of  outlines.  This 
still  appeared  a  desideratum.  With  the 


6  PREFACE. 

conviction  that  such  a  volume  would  be 
welcomed  by  teachers,  who  have  little  time 
to  prepare  their  subjects,  and  the  hope  that 
it  might  call  forth  their  thinking  powers  to 
a  greater  extent  than  more  finished  ex- 
ercises, the  following  pages  have  been  pre- 
pared. 

To  visitors  and  teachers  of  Sabbath- 
schools,  to  conductors  of  catechumen  and 
Bible  classes,  and  to  teachers  of  schools  in 
which  Scripture  lessons  are  given,  it  is 
hoped  that  this  work  will  be  acceptable. 

May  the  great  Head  of  the  church  deign 
to  stamp  with  his  approbation  this  humble 
effort  to  assist  his  servants,  and  lead  through 
them  the  little  ones  to  Christ. 


ARRANGED  IN 


SCRIPTURAL  ORDER. 


Text.  Subject.  Page 

1  Sam.  ii.  12 Religion  not  Hereditary 112 

iii.  1-10 Call  of  Samuel 60 

xii.  24 Something  to  Think  about 96 

xxiv.  10 Taking  base  Advantage 98 

2  Sam.  xiv.  25,  26 Character  of  Absalom 84 

2  Kings  iv.  26 All  is  Well 38 

vi.  16 The  Good   Man   guarded  from 

Danger 102 

viii.  13 Our  Ignorance  of  Self. 104 

xxii.  1,2 Young  Josiah 78 

2  Chron.  x.  13,  14 Following  Bad  Advice 52 

xv Following  Good  Advice 70 

xxxiii.  1-19. ...Character  of  Manasseh 106 

Job  xix.  25 Knowledge  of  the  Redeemer....     64 

Psalm  xxvii.  8 Seeking  the  Lord 92 

li.  10 The  Clean  Heart 74 

xc.  14 The  Royal  Road  to  Happiness.  116 

ciii.  13 God  pities  us 72 

cxxii.  1 Love  for  the  House  of  God 40 

cxix.  9 The  Path  of  Life 100 

cxxvii.  3 Children  belong  to  the  Lord 110 

cxxxix.  4 God  hears  every  Word 66 

7 


8  TABLE   OF  TEXTS. 


Text.  Subject.  Pag« 

Proverbs  i.  10 The  good  Child  cautioned  and 

advised 46 

iv.  7 The  principal  thing 56 

viii.  17 The  Lord  early  sought  for  early 

found 63 

xvi.  5 Pride 48 

xxii.  1 A  good  Name 62 

xxii.  6 Religious  Education 114 

xxiii.  26 Giving  the  Heart  to  God 88 

Eccles.  xii.  1 Youthful  Reflections 36 

Isaiah  liv.  13 Our  best  Teacher, 108 

Jer.  iii.  4 The    youthful      Pilgrim     and 

Heavenly  Guide 34 

Matt.  vii.  7 How  to  Pray 90 

xiii.  38 Missions 118 

xix.  13-15 Christ  receives  Little  Children.     42 

xxi.  15,16 Hosanna  to  Jesus 94 

xxviii.  5 Encouragement    to   those   who 

seek  the  Lord 120 

John  i.  40-42 The  Young  Disciple 44 

xx.  16 Mary  seeking  Jesus 82 

Acts  xi.  22-24 Secret  of  the  Good  Man's  Suc- 
cess      76 

Rom.  xii.  21 How  to  Suffer  and  how  to  Act...     54 

Gal.  iv.  18 Zeal  well  directed  and  constant.  122 

Eph.  vi.  1 Obedience  to  Parents 50 

2  Tim.  iii.  14,  15 Character  of  Timothy 86 

1  Peter  ii.  13 Submission  to  Teachers 58 

ii.  21 Our  Pattern....  .     80 


(fesajr 


ON 


THE  COMPOSITION  AND  DELIVERY  OF  SUNDAY- 
SCHOOL   LECTURES. 


ON  the  banks  of  the  Jordan,  and  sheltered 
from  the  meridian  sun  by  over-shadowing  palms, 
whose  broad  feathery  leaves  waving  above  them  in 
the  breeze  formed  natural  fans,  reposed  a  company 
of  travellers  intently  listening  to  one  seated  in 
their  midst,  who  for  some  time  past  had  discoursed 
on  prayer.  How  much  of  heaven  is  there  on  that 
teacher's  face !  what  love  beams  forth  from  his 
eyes  !  what  wisdom  dwells  upon  his  tongue  !  His 
auditors  wonder  at  the  gracious  words  that  fall 
from  his  lips.  The  short  pause  succeeding  to  the 
Saviour's  remarks  (in  which  glances  of  approba- 
tion among  the  disciples,  and  a  flush  of  shame  on 
here  and  there  a  face,  told  of  the  effects  of  his 
teaching)  was  quickly  broken  by  the  mothers  in 
that  congregation,  who,  pressing  through  the 
crowd,  are  carrying  their  little  ones  to  the  world's 


10  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 


Redeemer.  Though  too  young  to  understand, 
they  are  not  of  too  tender  years  to  love  the 
preacher.  Note  the  eagerness  of  each  parent's 
eye;  and  the  children  themselves,  sympathizing 
with  their  parents,  are  stretching  out  their  tiny 
hands  to  Jesus.  The  circle  nearest  Christ  is 
composed  of  his  professed  disciples.  These  New- 
Testament  Hannahs  meet  with  no  opposition  till 
the  disciples  rebuke  them  :  their  icy  looks  and 
withering  words  cast  a  pall  over  the  hopes  that 
now  die  within  these  mothers'  hearts.  They  fall 
back  to  their  places  slowly  and  sadly,  and  each 
child,  joining  in  his  guardian's  grief,  buries  his 
head  in  her  bosom  to  hide  his  tears.  Jesus  sees 
all,  and,  wondering  at  the  selfishness  or  ignorance 
of  his  followers,  is  much  displeased.  For  if  even 
the  bad  man's  contumely  could  excite  the  displea- 
sure of  Jesus,  much  more  did  that  of  his  chosen 
disciples  and  professed  friends.  "  Suffer  the  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,"  said  the  Saviour  :  the 
mothers  bounded  toward  him,  the  children  sprang 
into  his  arms,  and  he,  kissing  them,  caresses  them, 
puts  his  hands  on  them,  blesses  them,  and  says, 
"  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

Under  the  influence  of  this  truth,  the  writer  of 
the  following  outlines  first  engaged  in  Sabbath- 
school  labours,  and  under  the  continued  influence 
of  the  same  truth,  he  hears,  and  prays  that  every 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  11 


teacher  may  hear,  the  Saviour  say,  "  Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  me."  The  object  of  pious 
parents  in  bringing  their  little  ones  to  the  Sunday- 
school  is,  that  through  its  medium  they  may  be 
led  to  Jesus  :  even  parents,  making  no  pretensions 
to  piety  themselves,  are  beginning  to  learn  the 
value  of  Sabbath-school  instruction,  from  the  de- 
portment of  such  as  are  influenced  by  it.  The 
Sabbath-school  spreads  out  its  paternal  arms  to 
embrace  the  rising  race,  and  would,  in  them, 
carry  the  young  people  of  all  nations  to  the  Sa- 
viour of  men. 

0,  remember  this,  you,  who  by  your  prayers, 
and  labours,  and  contributions,  help  on  the  cause 
of  Sabbath-schools. 

And  let  every  parent  remember  that  the  grand 
design  of  Sabbath-schools  is,  to  instruct  children 
in  righteousness,  and  thus  lead  them  to  the  Re- 
deemer. 

It  is  hoped  that  this  little  work  will,  in  some 
small  degree,  assist  such  as  are  called  by  the 
school  arrangements  to  deliver  an  occasional  ad- 
d_'333.  Allow  us,  then,  to  offer  a  few  remarks  to 
young  teachers  on  the  selection  of  a  suitable  sub- 
ject— on  the  arrangement  of  matter — and  on  the 
effective  delivery  of  his  thoughts. 

In  the  selection  of  your  subject,  bear  in  mind 
you  are  to  address  children.  You  will  be  too 


12  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

wise,  and  too  desirous  of  saving  them — of  leading 
them  to  Jesus — to  discuss  a  grave  point  in  doctrine, 
which  would,  of  course,  soon  send  them  to  sleep. 

You  may  be  guided  in  your  selection  of  a  sub- 
ject by  some  circumstance  which  may  have  trans- 
pired in  the  school  or  neighbourhood ;  or  some 
previous  conversation  between  you  and  some  class; 
or  the  conduct  of  some  child ;  or  a  question  put 
by  some  inquirer  on  a  religious  subject;  but  it  is 
needless  to  allude  to  circumstances,  conversation, 
and  conduct :  an  intelligent  and  observant  teacher, 
with  an  inventive  mind,  will  turn  many  things  to 
good  account.  A  teacher,  with  a  prayerful  heart 
and  willing  mind,  will  never  be  greatly  at  loss  for 
a  suitable  topic.  To  such,  and  indeed  to  all,  we 
would  say,  pray  for  a  text :  "  The  Lord  gives  the 
Word." 

Allow  me  to  offer  a  few  hints  on  the  arrange- 
ment of  matter. 

You  will  see  throughout  the  following  pages  an 
attempt  at  method.  There  is  no  need  that  the 
heads  of  an  address  should  be  formally  repeated, 
because  they  appear  in  the  skeleton :  indeed,  in 
most  instances,  they  had  better  be  hid  in  the  ad» 
dress,  as  are  the  bones  of  the  osseous  system  in 
vertebrated  animals,  which,  although  invisible  it- 
self, gives  strength  and  beauty  to  all  that  meets 
the  eye.  In  some  cases,  however,  you  will  find  it 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY-  13 

best  to  mention  heads,  thus  to  awaken  atten- 
tion. You  can  repeat  them  somewhat  in  the 
following  manner  :• — 

Try,  if  you  formally  take  a  text,  to  make  the 
children  discover  your  verse :  thus,  in  outline, 
No.  2.  What  is  that  in  us  that  thinks? — The 
mind.  What  is  that  act  of  the  mind  called  when 
we  think  of  past  things  ? — Remembrance.  Tell 
me  some  things  we  should  remember  ?  The  chil- 
dren will  probably  say  a  variety  of  things :  as, 
our  mercies ;  our  sins  j  our  advantages,  &c.  &c< 
Who  gave  us  all  our  mercies  ?- — God.  Whom 
ought  we,  then,  sometimes  to  think  about  ? — God- 
What  is  God  called,  as  the  maker  of  all  things  ? — 
The  Creator.  Should  we  remember  our  Creator 
in  the  days  of  old  age,  or  now  ? — Now.  What 
are  these  days  called  ? — The  days  of  our  youth. 
Then  we  ought  to  remember  our  Creator  in  the 
days  of  our  youth.  Can  any  of  you  repeat  a  verse 
in  which  those  words  are  found  ?  Perhaps  one 
may :  then  ask  if  any  can  find  it,  and  let  the  one 
that  finds  it  first  hold  out  his  hand.  One  after 
another  will  presently  put  out  his  hand,  and  one 
may  then  be  called  on  to  read  the  text :  if  none 
can  find  it,  name  the  chapter :  they  will  soon  be 
busy  with  their  Bibles,  and  the  text  will  be 
quickly  repeated.  Having  thus,  by  a  few  ques- 
tions, led  the  children  to  think  out  the  text,  pro- 
2 


14  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


ceed  to  name  the  three  divisions:  1.  The  Duty; 
2.  The  Time;  3.  The  Reason.  Now,  children 
can  one  of  you  name  the  1st  division  ?  Can 
another  mention  the  2d  ?  Who  can  repeat  the 
3d  ?  I  have  first  to  speak  of  the — [Duty.]* 
What  duty  is  mentioned  in  the  text  ? — To  remem- 
ber our  Creator.  Then  discuss  that  head  in  an 
easy,  familiar  way  :  now  and  then,  to  awake  atten- 
tion, put  a  question — when  finished,  ask  one  to 
mention  the  2d  division;  and  so  on  to  the  3d, 
getting  the  children  to  illustrate  the  time,  and  the 
reason  for  the  text.  Do  not  imagine  the  putting 
so  many  questions  occupies  too  much  time  :  the 
inductive  mode  of  eliciting  replies  will  soon  be 
found  a  rapid  and  effective  method  of  imparting 
truth.  If  so  much  is  not  said  by  the  teacher  as 
he  wishes,  let  him  reflect  that  the  little  said  is 
well  said.  You  will  find,  in  such  texts  a»  the  one 
selected  for  example,  the  use  of  divisions  useful 
to  your  own  and  the  children's  memories. 

Sometimes,  as  when  a  Bible  narrative  or  bio- 
graphy is  the  foundation  of  the  address,  the  story- 
telling method  may  be  adopted.  Children  are 
very  fond  of  what  may  be  termed  a  quaint,  old- 
fashioned,  once-upon-a-time  style.  We  have  seen 

*  Leave  such  words  as  those  enclosed  in  brackets  for  the 
children  to  repeat  simultaneously.  The  ellipsis,  if  intro- 
duced carefully,  constantly  fixes  attention. 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  15 


a  congregation  of  juveniles  sitting  in  breathless 
silence,  with  eyes  fixed  intently  on  the  speaker, 
appearing  scarcely  to  breathe,  while  such  subjects 
as  llehoboam  and  his  Counsellors,  All  is  Well,  and 
the  Prodigal  Son,  have  been  under  consideration. 

To  illustrate  this  manner,  we  will  give  an  ab- 
stract of  our  address  from  outline  No.  10,  which, 
we  are  conscious,  if  in  the  hands  of  a  more  ima- 
ginative and  apt  speaker,  could  be  made  much 
more  interesting. 

The  address  was  commenced  somewhat  in  the 
following  manner : — 

As  I  came  to  the  school  this  afternoon,  I  couldn't 
help  thinking  what  a  beautiful  land  it  is  we  live 
in  :  the  birds  sang  so  sweetly,  and  the  sun  shone 
so  brightly,  the  sky  looked  so  blue,  and  the  mea- 
dows so  green,  and  every  thing  so  gay  and  cheer- 
ful, that  I  thought  there  could  be  no  land  like  the 
land  we  live  in.  Then  I  thought  about  other 
lands  a  great  way  off — over  the  water,  and  at  last 
I  thought  of  one,  and  something  that  happened 
there  ever  so  long  ago,  that  perhaps  you  would 
like  to  hear  about. 

It  is  not  a  very  large  country.  A  large  sea 
washes  one  side,  and  a  river  flows  along  the  other 
side.  There  were  many  cities,  and  villages,  and 
hills,  and  vales  there,  and  when  the  people  were 
good  they  were  happy.  Well,  many  years  ago 


16  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


there  lived  a  great  king  there,  who  wore  a  crown 
and  lived  in  a  palace ;  and  the  king  was  fond  of 
music  and  singing,  and  he  wrote  a  book  full  of 
beautiful  hymns,  and  after  some  years  he  died 
and  was  buried,  and  the  people  were  very  sorry, 
for  they  loved  their  good  king.  When  he  was 
buried  the  people  made  his  son  their  king  :  he 
was  not  fond  of  playing  on  the  harp  as  his  father 
was ;  but  he  was  very  wise  indeed :  people  came 
from  a  great  way  to  see  this  wise  king.  After  a 
while  he  died,  and  was  buried  in  his  father's 
grave,  and  his  son  was  made  king.  A  little  while 
before  the  last  king  died  some  laws  were  made 
that  the  people  did  not  like;  but  they  thought 
they  would  wait  till  the  next  king  wore  the  crown  : 
so  when  the  wise  king  was  dead,  and  his  son  sat 
on  the  throne,  they  came  to  him  and  asked  him 
to  take  off  some  of  the  laws.  So  one  day  a  great 
many  of  them  got  together  and  went  to  the  pa- 
lace. The  king  was  there  with  his  robe  and 
crown  on,  he  held  a  jewelled  sceptre  in  his  hand, 
and  when  the  people  came  into  the  room  and  saw 
the  young  king,  they  all  bowed  their  heads,  and 
one,  more  bold  than  the  rest,  stepped  forward  and 
told  the  king  what  the  people  wanted.  The 
prince  told  the  people  that  they  should  come  again 
another  day,  and  he  would  give  them  an  answer. 
When  the  people  were  gone,  he  asked  his  great 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  17 


men  what  lie  had  better  do :  so  they  gathered 
around  him  to  talk  to  him  about  it.  There  were 
some  old  men  there  with  gray  heads  and  long 
beards,  who  leaned  on  staves  when  they  walked, 
they  were  so  very  old  :  they  had  been  advisers  to 
the  king's  father,  so  the  young  king  listened  to 
them  first.  Now  the  old  men  had  read  a  good 
deal,  and  had  lived  with  the  wise  king  who  was 
dead,  and  had  thought  about  a  good  many  things, 
so  they  were  very  wise,  and  said  to  the  young 
prince :  Speak  kindly  to  the  people,  and  tell 
them  you  will  consider  their  case,  and  try  to  take 
the  laws  away  that  they  do  not  like,  then  the 
people  will  love  you.  When  the'  old  men  with 
the  long  beards  had  done  speaking,  the  king 
asked  the  others  what  they  thought  he  had  better 
do,  but  they  said  they  would  tell  him  another 
time.  They  were  ashamed  to  tell  what  they 
thought  before  the  old  :  so  when  the  old  men  had 
left  the  presence-chamber,  the  young  men,  who 
were  about  as  old  as  the  king  began  to  speak, 
and  they  said,  if  they  were  the  king,  they  would 
drive  -the  people  away  and  speak  roughly  to  them, 
and  not  let  them  come  asking  him  about  the 
laws.  So  the  young  king  reminded  his  friends  of 
what  the  old  men  had  said.  "0,"  said  these 
young  ones,  "  they  are  old  cowards,  let  us  be  brave 

and  bold,  and  show  the  foolish  old  men  that  we 

2* 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


know  better  than  they."  So  the  king  thought  it 
sounded  very  bold  and  well,  and  made  up  his  mind 
to  do  as  they  said.  By-and-by,  another  day,  the 
people  came  again,  and  bowed  to  the  king  as  he 
sat  on  his  throne,  and  asked  him  if  he  had  thought 
about  them.  "  0  yes,"  said  he,  "  I  have  not  for- 
gotten you,  and  you  will  soon  know  it,  unless  you 
mind  what  you  are  about."  The  people  then 
went  away  sad  and  sorrowful,  and  feeling  angry 
that  the  king  should  treat  them  so  badly.  The  old 
men  who  stood  by  wondered  at  the  young  king, 
and  at  first  could  not  tell  how  it  was  that  he  acted 
so  foolishly ;  but  when  they  saw  how  pleased  the 
young  lords  looked  who  stood  on  the  other  side  of 
the  king's  throne,  then  they  wondered  no  longer  : 
they  saw  the  king  had  been  misled  by  bad  advice  : 
it  was  too  late  now  for  them  to  say  any  thing,  or 
they  would  have  begged  the  king  to  think  again 
before  he  acted  as  he  did ;  but,  as  I  said,  it  was 
now  too  late,  the  people  were  gone  away,  and  very 
soon  the  old  men  went  away ;  and  the  young  king 
and  his  friends  began  to  be  very  merry  when  they 
thought  how  bravely  they  had  acted.  The  people 
used  very  often  to  talk  about  the  silly  king  after, 
and  at  last  they  said  they  would  have  another 
king:  so  they  made  the  brave  young  man  who 
spoke  to  the  king  for  them  their  king ;  and  they 
had  a  great  many  battles  with  the  soldiers  of  the 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  19 


king,  and  beat  them,  and  drove  them  away,  and 
took  ten  of  the  finest  provinces  of  the  kingdom, 
and  made  their  brave  leader  to  reign  over  them 
in  the  ten  provinces  which  they  had  taken  away 
from  the  young  king. 

Do  you  think  if  he  had  minded  what  the  old 
men  said  he  would  have  lost  his  kingdom  ?  0 
no,  he  would  still  have  been  a  great  king,  and 
good  people  would  have  loved  him,  and  everybody 
in  the  country  would  have  been  willing  to  die  for 
him,  they  would  have  loved  him  so  very  much. 
How  foolish  it  is  to  take  bad  advice  !  Do  you  know 
who  the  first  king  was  that  sang  so  well,  and 
played  on  the  harp  ? — David.  What  did  David 
write? — Psalms.  And  who  was  the  next  king 
that  was  so  wise  ? — Solomon.  What  books  did  he 
write  ? — The  Proverbs,  and  Ecclesiastes,  and  the 
Song.  Yes ;  and  who  was  the  foolish  king  that 
would  not  attend  to  the  wise  men  ? — Rehoboam. 
And  who  was  the  king  that  won  the  ten  pro- 
vinces ? — Jeroboam.  And  where  may  you  read 
about  all  this?  — In  the  Bible.  Where?  — 
2  Chron.  x.  13,  14.  You  will  there  read  the 
history  of  Rehoboam  and  his  advisers.  Now,  let 
us  try  to  learn  something  from  this.  Suppose  we 
were  to  follow  the  advice  of  foolish  people,  what 
would  be  the  end  of  all  this  ?  Why,  we  should 
very  often  fall  into  trouble,  and  very  often  be  un- 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


happy,  and  at  last  we  should  go  to  hell.  But,  if 
we  follow  the  words  of  wise  people  who  are  older 
than  we,  (as  parents  and  teachers,)  then  we  shall 
be  happy  and  holy,  and  by-and-by  go  to  heaven. 
We  are  not  kings,  yet  we  all  may  live  in  a  beau- 
tiful kingdom — it  is  far,  far  away — we  must  die 
before  we  can  go  there :  if  we  follow  good  advice 
we  shall  not  lose  this  glorious  kingdom,  but  be 
happy  there  for  ever.  What  do  wise  people  say 
we  must  do  to  get  to  heaven  ? — Read  the  Bible — 
pray — serve  God — trust  in  Jesus  Christ.  Will 
you  all  try  to  follow  good  advice  for  the  future, 
and  never  listen  to  idle  young  boys  and  girls  who 
say  silly  things ;  and  will  you  all  try  to  be  more 
watchful  and  attentive  to  wise  people? — Yes. 
Well,  we  shall  see  if  you  are  sincere.  Let  us 
sing  a  hymn,  &c. 

We  would  not  introduce  the  above  as  a  model 
of  perfection,  but  simply  as  an  illustration  of 
style.  We  are  conscious,  too,  that  our  illustration 
is  abundant  in  blemishes ;  yet,  if  the  reader  catch 
the  idea,  our  end  will  be  gained.  You  have  seen 
how  readily  a  group  of  children  will  gather  around 
some  silver-headed  patriarch,  (whose  imagination 
has  long  since  lost  its  youthful  vivacity,  and  who 
is  now  a  fine  example  of  Homer's  "  narrative 
old  age"}  and  hang  on  (he  simple  tale  he  tells. 
He  is  picturing  no  fairy  scene  :  he  is  painting  no 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY,  -       21 


spiritual  Utopia :  he  doesn't  deal  in  hyperbole  j 
and  yet  how  he  wins  those  children's  attention. 
Learn  the  secret  of  his  success:  his  matter  and 
his  manner  harmonize :  he  narrates  events :  he 
tells  stories  :  his  language  is  quaint :  his  style  is 
old-fashioned.  Look  at  yonder  teacher  surrounded 
by  his  class  of  eager  listeners :  he  is  suiting  his 
manner  to  his  matter,  he  is  painting  that  beautiful 
picture  our  Saviour  sketched,  beginning  "A  cer- 
tain man  had  two  sons,"  Listen  !  he  is  following 
the  prodigal  from  his  home  into  the  wilderness : 
how  naturally  he  paints  each  phase  in  the  expe- 
rience of  the  wretched  wanderer.  The  little  ones 
are  so  wrapt  in  the  subject  that  they  all  regard  it 
as  a  living,  acting  scene.  By-and-by,  the  prodigal 
has  spent  all,  eomes  to  himself,  and  arises  to  re- 
turn. One  little  follow,  at  length,  is  so  excited 
by  the  scene  that  fills  his  mind  as  suddenly  to 
shout  out,  aa  the  lost/ one  is  coming  toward  his 
father,  "  01  won' the  catch  it!"*  The  expression 
was  natural  enough,  and  shows  how  thoroughly 
the  teacher  had  drawn  the  child  into  the  spirit  of 
the  tale.  Again  we  say,  suit  the  style  to  the  sub- 
ject :  sometimes  induce,  sometimes  narrate,  some- 
times paint,  sometimes  combine  the  three :  learn 

*  This  happened  in  &  Sabbath-school  the  writer  visited. 


22  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


to  pass  on  from  grave  to  gay,  from  lively  to  se- 
vere. As  your  subject  requires,  get  filled  with 
your  subject  yourself,  filled  to  overflowing,  then, 
so  far  as  delivery  is  concerned,  you  will  speak 
easily :  above  all,  consider  your  great  responsibility 
while  giving  the  address.  For  half  an  hour  the 
teachers  give  up  their  classes  to  another  :  for  half 
an  hour  you  have  the  school  in  one  class.  You 
must  gain  the  teacher's  confidence  and  the  child's 
attention  ere  you  can  be  considered  successful  in 
the  delivery  of  a  Sabbath-school  address.  0  ! 
what  wisdom  you  need  ! — not  mere  human  know- 
ledge, but  wisdom  of  celestial  birth :  earnestly 
seek  that  wisdom  from  Him  who  "  giveth  to  all 
men  liberally." 

It  would  be  vain  for  me  to  give  you  any  of  the 
rules  of  eloquence — you  learned  them  at  school — 
Blair,  and  Fenelon,  and  Whately,  and  a  host  of 
others,  have  written  on  rhetoric.  But,  if  rules 
are  your  guides,  you  are  only  artificially  eloquent. 
Rhetoric  has  never  yet  converted  a  single  soul, 
nor  ever  will.  If  you  want  a  more  certain  guide 
to  success,  entertain  some  such  considerations  as 
these : — 

What  is  the  value  of  a  soul  ? 

What  is  the  meaning  of  eternal  punishment  ? 

What  is  the  duration  of  eternity  ? 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  23 


You  may  make  a  long  catalogue  of  such  heads 
for  reflection,  then  take  each  one  into  your  closet. 
Ponder  over  it — pray  over  it — and  go  with  the 
influence  of  your  prayerful  reflections  straight  to 
the  Sabbath-school :  let  nothing  efface  the  impres- 
sion by  the  way.  You  will  soon  find  yourself  in 
earnest.  You  will  soon  discover  it  to  be  difficult 
to  look  a  fellow-immortal  in  the  face,  without 
burning  to  say  a  word  to  him  that  shall  awaken 
within  him  a  concern  about  his  salvation.  Hu- 
man rules  may  be  of  service  to  the  bar  and  the 
senate  :  they  are  comparatively  worthless  at  the 
desk  of  a  Sabbath-school.  The  early  apostles  ap- 
pear to  have  studied  oratory  very  little,  and  you 
can  think  of  men  who  are  eminently  successful  in 
winning  souls,  whose  discourses  are  far  from  ber 
ing  adorned  with  the  flowers  of  eloquence.  The 
secret  of  their  success  lies  in  their  having  im- 
bibed so  thoroughly  the  spirit  of  Barnabas,  "  who 
was  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
through  whom  much  people  were  added  to  the 
Lord."  Read  such  soul-stirring  books  as  Al- 
leine's  Alarm,  Baxter's  Call  and  Reformed  Pas- 
tor, Fletcher's  Appeal,  and  James's  Earnest  Mi- 
nistry. 0  !  if  all  Sabbath-school  teachers  would 
"  give  attendance  to  reading"  such  works  as  these 
in  turn  with  their  Bibles,  and  pray  over  them 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


sentence  by  sentence,  the  country  would  soon  be 
in  a  blaze.  The  hymns  of  praise  to  which  holy 
Baxter  listened  after  his  first  year  at  Kiddermin- 
ster with  such  delighted  ears,  would  soon  be 
echoed  from  Dan  to  Beersheba  in  our  land.  Get 
youthful  hearts  filled  with  the  love  of  God,  and 
youthful  lips  shall  sing  his  praises :  and  angels, 
pausing  in  their  song,  shall  bend  from  heaven  to- 
catch  the  infant  hallelujahs;  and  blessed  spirits 
shall  listen  to  the  echoes  of  temple-sung  hosan- 
nahs;  and  saints  and  angels  shall  engage  with  in- 
creasing zest  in  his  worship  who  out  of  the  mouths 
of  babes  and  sucklings  hath  called  forth  praise. 

Brother  Christian,  did  a  young  child  ever  ask 
of  you  the  way  to  Jesus  ?  When  was  it  ?  "Where 
was  it  ?  Could  you  answer  truly  ?  Had  you  first 
found  the  way  ?  Or  could  yon  only  repeat  a  les- 
son stereotyped  in  your  own  mind  by  the  oft-re- 
peated exposition  of  gospel  truth  ?  We  will  hope 
that,  like  Andrew,  you  had1  first  found  the  Lord. 
0  !  did  not  your  heart  throb  with  godlike  sympa- 
thies when  you  answered  the  youthful  penitent, 
"  Fear  not,  for  I  know  that  ye  seek  Jesus  who 
was  crucified.  Fear  not,  little  trembler — Manasseh 
was  vile,  and  Paul  the  chief  of  sinners,  but  they 
were  both  forgiven.  Fear  not,  you  are  not  too 
young — they  were  infants  in  their  mother's  arms 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  25 


whom  Jesus  welcomed  to  his  breast:  fear  not, 
Jesus  is  the  same  for  ever.  I  know  that  ye  seek 
him,  hy  your  tears,  your  earnestness,  your  feelings, 
your  prayers,  your  inquiries.  Jesus,  who  was 
crucified  ever  so  long  ago  for  you,  he  is  not  here : 
he  is  risen.  He  is  by  the  throne — David  said, 
"  The  Lord  thinketh  upon  me,"  (Psalm  xl.  17,) 
and  the  Lord  thinketh  upon  you :  he  thinketh 
upon  you  for  good.  Then  fear  not — you  are 
sorry  for  having  sinned,  you  desire  to  sin  no 
more,  you  wish  to  love  God  and  go  to  heaven, 
then  pray  to  him  with  all  your  heart  for  peace 
and  pardon,  and  you  shall  be  holy  and  happy, — 
fear  not. 

0  !  you  have  seen  the  tear  of  penitence  ex- 
haled by  the  breath  of  childhood's  prayer,  and 
you  have  seen  the  countenance  illumined  by  the 
smiles  of  heaven-born  hope  after  the  dew  of  early 
grief  had  passed  away.  The  truth  earnestly, 
affectionately,  and  prayerfiilly  poured  from  heart 
to  heart  has  been  accompanied  with  a  saving 
unction. 

To  assist  you  in  your  addresses,  the  following 
outlines  have  been  prepared,  more  as  illustrations 
of  the  simplest  methods  of  managing  appropriate 
subjects  than  with  the  intention  that  they  should 
be  used  by  you  as  they  stand  on  the  page  :  though 
3 


26  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


until  you  are  at  home  in  the  work,  you  will  doubt- 
less find  it  profitable  occasionally  to  use  them. 
Try  as  early  as  possible  to  make  an  occasional 
address  or  sketch  of  one  yourself,  and  for  an  ex- 
ercise, which  you  will  find  valuable,  employ  your 
ingenuity  in  varying  some  of  the  outlines  in  the 
volume  before  you.  You  will  generally  be  able  to 
make  a  much  more  complete  skeleton  yourself 
from  a  text  that  strikes  your  mind  than  the 
printed  outline  of  the  same  text.  Enlarge  the 
sketch — add  thought  to  thought — treat  the  sub- 
ject every  possible  way,  so  as  to  obtain  a  complete 
view  of  it — think  out  each  division  and  each  word 
until  your  mind  is  full  of  the  subject.  As  an 
exercise,  write  an  address  now  and  then  through- 
out, but  never  till  you  have  delivered  it,  that  your 
mind  may  be  at  perfect  liberty  when  before  the 
children.  By  far  the  best  mode  of  preparing  an 
address  that  we  are  acquainted  with  is,  simply  to 
make  an  enlarged  sketch  of  it  in  the  style  of  the 
outlines  in  this  volume ;  and  without  adding  more 
to  paper  let  each  division  be  well  digested. 

To  show  the  advantage  of  enlarging  an  outline 
and  varying  it,  we  present  you  with  the  following 
variation  and  enlargement  of  sketch  No.  42. 

"  0  !  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy,  that  we 
may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days." 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  27 


Early  piety  reasonable— agreeable  to  the  word  of 
God — dictates  of  conscience — common  sense — and 
design  of  Sabbath-school  instruction. 

Early  piety  important — your  real  comfort  in 
this  world,  "rejoice  and  be  glad  all  your  days," 
and  in  the  next  (1  Tim.  iv.  8)  closely  connected 
with  it. 

Young  people  wish  to  "  rejoice  and  be  glad  all 
their  days."  Now  I  will  put  you  into  the  secret ; 
but  it  is  not  my  secret,  nor  is  it  a  secret  known 
by  wicked  people  :  they  wish  to  be  happy  as  much 
as  yourselves,  but  they  are  not  in  the  secret  of  it, 
therefore  they  are  groping  about  in  the  dark,  say- 
ing, "  Who  will  show  us  any  good  ?"  (Psalm  iv. 
6.)  This  secret  is  known  by  those  who  fear 
the  Lord.  (Psalm  xxv.  14.)  This  is  not  even 
David's  secret.  He  learned  it  in  the  Lord's 
school,  whose  secret  it  is.  So  it  must  be  good, 
"The  secret  of  the  Lord,"  &c.  Nay,  David 
says  in  another  place,  (Psalm  xvi.  11,)  "  Thou 
wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life,"  &c.  &c.,  "  plea- 
sures for  evermore  !"  yes — so  listen  to  this  secret 
of  being  happy.  Begin  at  the  beginning,  and 
then — 

I.  You  will  acknowledge  the  need  you  have  of 
divine  mercy. 

1.  Children  need  mercy,  for  they  are  sinners; 
and  mercy  supposes  this  fact. 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


2.  As  sinners,  they  are  guilty  and  condemned, 
and  need  pardoning  mercy. 

3.  As  sinners,  they  are  polluted,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  bad  tempers,  and  in  danger  of  everlast- 
ing punishment,  and  therefore  need  renewing  and 
delivering  mercy,  new  hearts,  new  tempers,  and 
hope  of  heaven,  &c. 

4.  All  this  is  evident  from  your  conduct,  words, 
feelings,  angry  passions,  conscience,  fears  of  death, 
inability  to  be  and  do  good  of  yourselves.     The 
first  part  of  the  secret  then  is  to  acknowledge, 
yea,  and  feel,  your  need  of  mercy — you  cannot 
be  happy  or  glad  otherwise.     Then — 

II.  You  will  find  this  mercy  will  afford  satis- 
faction. "  Satisfy  us,"  &c. 

Satisfaction :  explain  and  illustrate  the  term. 
Duellist,  tradesman,  senses  of  body,  seeing,  hear- 
ing, &c. — hunger,  thirst,  no  more  desired  — 
enough.  But  here  it  is  spiritual.  .  Observe  the 
mercy  which  gives  rise  to  the  satisfaction,  then 
judge — 

1.  The  source  of  satisfaction.      The  attribute 
of  mercy  in  God  :  "  with  the  Lord  is  mercy,"  &c., 
undeserved,  free,  full,  seasonable,  eternal,  saving, 
abundant  mercy,  &c. 

2.  The  display  of  this  mercy  through  Christ  so 
much  in  harmony  with  every  attribute  of  God,  as 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  29 


to  satisfy  us,  we  see  mercy  righteously  exercised 
toward  us  as  procured  for  us. 

3.  The  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  mercy  in  the 
heart  and  conscience.  Pardon,  peace,  hope,  love, 
&c.  Fear  of  death  removed.  -  In-dwelling  God — 
satisfied  !  The  satisfaction  then  is — 

(1.)  Well  founded  —  atonement  of  Christ 
through  faith  therein.  Intercession,  resurrec- 
tion, &c. 

(2.)  Real,  experimental,  personal  conviction 
and  consciousness. 

(3.)  Comfortable,  all  surrendered  to  God,  no 
anxiety,  no  bondage,  or  slavish  fear  :  love,  liberty, 
providence. 

(4.)  Habitual  and  increasing,  "  rejoice  ever- 
more," "be  glad  all  our  days." 

(5.)  Lively,  "  rejoice/'  immortal,  evermore,  &c. 
Then- 
Ill.  The  influence,  when  obtained  early,  is 
specially  valuable  in  future  life  as  well  as  in 
youth. 

Joseph,  Samuel,  David,  Timothy,  &c. 

1.  Early  piety  only  the  beginning  and  pledge 
of  future  and  further  blessings  in  the  service  of 
God  and  of  his  church.     Time  improved,  habits 
formed,  talents  brought  out,  and  gifts  sanctified. 

2.  Has  a  promise  of  temporal  good  so  far  as  a 
blessing  to  us.     Scriptures  in  abundance. 

3* 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


3.  Prepares  the  soul  for  the  trials  of  life,  and 
sustains  while  in  them. 

4.  Fits  for  death  and  opens  portals  of  endless 
blessedness.     Glad  all  our  days  of  eternity. 

IV.  Way  to  obtain  all  is  prayer. 
Text  a  prayer. 

1.  Highly    proper    and    reasonable    in   itself, 
"  ask,"  &c. 

2.  Useful  to  us.     Value  what  is  obtained  by 
effort — a  gift,  yet  must  ask  for  it,  that  we  may 
appreciate  and  retain  it.     "  Strive,"  &c. 

3.  Often  recommended  in  Scripture. 

4.  The  way  in  which  mercy  has  been  obtained 
from   olden   times.      Prayer.     Examples,  Jacob, 
David,  in  Old  Testament;  and  Saul  of  Tarsus, 
&c.,  in  New  Testament. 

REMARKS. 

1.  How  lamentable  the  case  of  those  who  are 
old  in  sin. 

2.  How  essential  to  know  ourselves  as  in  need 
of  mercy,  though  young. 

3.  How  important  to   seek   happiness    scrip- 
turally,  by  obtaining  mercy.    * 

4.  How  necessary  to  be  earnest.     "  0  Lord  ! 
satisfy,"  &c. 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  31 


At  the  foot  of  each  outline  you  will  find  a 
number  of  Scripture  references — these  are  in- 
tended for  your  own  use  :  after  you  have  read  the 
sketch  once  or  twice,  find  out  and  carefully  read 
the  verses  to  which  you  are  referred.  In  most 
instances  you  will  find  additional  light  thrown  by 
them  on  the  subject  treated  of  above.  Some  of 
the  texts  you  may  retain  in  your  minds  and  quote 
when  delivering  the  address ;  or,  what  will  be 
better  and  interest  your  young  audience  more, 
you  may  call  on  the  children  to  find  out  and  read 
them  either  singly  or  simultaneously. 

Be  wise  in  your  choice  of  illustration  :  some 
teachers  fail  here — either  their  illustration  (so 
called)  has  no  connection  with  the  subject,  or  it  is 
above  the  comprehension  of  the  child.  Let  it 
t>e  simple  and  to  the  point.  Carefully  treasure 
up  in  a  waste-book  striking  circumstances  that 
have  come  beneath  your  notice.  For  a  long  time 
we  have  kept  a  book  of  "stray  thoughts,"  in 
Avhich  to  enter  incidents  met  with  in  books  and 
life,  that  might  be  profitable  to  the  Sunday-schools 
we  visit.  A  quire  of  common  writing-paper 
stiched  in  a  stout  wrapper  will  answer  admirably : 
many  a  valuable  thought  may  thus  be  retained. 
Carefully  explain  the  use  of  important  words  when 
you  use  them,  and  as  carefully  refrain  from  the 


32  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 


use  of  hard  words,  for,  whatever  your  fellow- 
teachers  may  think  of  your  knowledge,  the  chil- 
dren, whose  welfare  should  then  be  your  chief 
study,  will  think  little  of  you  or  the  address,  un- 
less they  fully  understand  it.  Study  the  method 
and  manner  of  Todd  in  the  explanation  of  the 
word  "conditions."*  Aim  to  be  understood  by 
the  youngest  child  present,  so  shall  ALL  the  lambs 
be  fed.  Nay,  if  it  be  necessary,  assume  the  style 
of  "  Peep-of-Day."  Determine  not  to  be  mis- 
taken. Now  and  then  pause,  and  by  a  question 
learn  if  your  meaning  is  caught  by  the  little 
children. 

Before  we  dismiss  our  remarks,  we  should  like 
to  add  a  word  or  two  on  the  prayer  at  the  conclu- 
sion. The  prayer  should  be  understood  by  the 
child,  or  he  will  scarcely  enter  into  the  spirit  of 
it.  How  frequently  do  teachers  have  to  complain 
of  the  inattention  of  children  during  the  few 
moments  spent  in  this  most  solemn  exercise  !  Is 
this  to  be  wondered  at  ?  We  have  heard  teachers 
pray  as  if  they  were  in  an  assembly  of  adults. 
He  who  would  lead  a  child's  devotions  must  be 
childlike  in  his  language.  Imbibe  the  spirit  of  a 
child,  invest  yourself  with  the  feelings  of  a  devout 


*  Lecture  the  Second. 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  33 


child,  and  utter  your  request  in  the  simple  lan- 
guage of  a  little  child.  Pray  short,  very  short : 
surround  all  the  children  in  your  prayer,  and  offer 
them  all  to  God.  We  would  like  to  enlarge  here, 
but  space  forbids. 

In  conclusion.  Let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which 
was  also  in  Christ  Jesus,  then  you  shall  be 
thoroughly  furnished  for  every  good  word  and 
work. 


34  THE   YOUTHFUL  PILGRIM. 


THE  YOUTHFUL  PILGRIM  AND  THE 
HEAVENLY  GUIDE. 

JEREMIAH  iii.  4. 

"Wilt  thou  not  from  this  time  cry  unto  me,  My  Father,  thou 
art  the  guide  of  my  youth  ?" 

IN  considering  this  subject,  we  shall  say  a 
little— 

I.  About  the  journey. 

It  is  the  journey  of  life;  beginning  in  the 
cradle,  ending  in  the  grave. 

It  is  dangerous,  difficult,  unknown,  full  of 
trials,  troubles,  and  temptations. 

It  is  particularly  so  at  the  beginning,  the  paths 
of  youth  are  slippery.  We  will  now  speak — 

II.  Of  the  traveller. 

All  who  live  are  travelling  this  journey,  not 
all  the  same  way,  "  every  one  thinks  his  way  is 
right :"  some  have  chosen  to  walk  in  the  way  of 
holiness,  these  are  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord. 

The  youthful  traveller  is  hasty,  ambitious, 
ignorant,  vain,  weak,  unarmed,  easily  attracted 
by  appearances. 


AND   THE   HEAVENLY   GUIDE.  35 


III.  Let  us  consider  the  guide. 

A  traveller  in  a  strange  land  needs  a  guide — a 
traveller  in  Switzerland.  Some  are  guided  by 
others  who  are  themselves  going  wrong  :  some  by 
their  desires,  some  by  appearances. 

God  is  the  guide  of  all  who  trust  in  him:  to 
inspire  us  with  confidence  he  wishes  us  to  consider 
him  as  our  Father.  Now  he  is  experienced,  wise, 
watchful,  knows  the  way. 

He  guides  by  providence,  by  his  Spirit's  teach- 
ing, by  his  book  of  directions  to  travellers  to 
heaven.  Old  men  are  willing  to  be  guided  thus, 
much  more  youth. 

Application. 

1.  Who  is  your  guide,  the  world?  flesh?  the 

wicked?  &c. 

2.  Happy  are  such  as  God  leads. 

Psalm  Ixxiii.  24.  Prov.xii.  15.  xxi.  2.  Isaiah  Iviii.  11. 
Hebrews  xiii.  5.  John  xvi.  13.  Luke  i.  79.  Psalm  xxxii.  8, 
Exodus  xl.  36,  37.  Isaiah  xlix.  10. 

HYMN  207  :  Guide  me,  0  thou  great  Jehovah. 
HYMN  209  :  There  is  a  path  that  leads  to  God. 
HYMN  358 :  With  humble  heart  and  tongue. 


YOUTHFUL   REFLECTIONS. 


II. 

YOUTHFUL  REFLECTIONS. 

EcCLESIASTES  Xli.  1. 

"  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  while 
the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years  draw  nigh,  when 
thou  shall  say,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  them." 

I.  THE  duty. 

Remember  thy  Creator.  Memory  and  judgment, 
(define.)  Memory  and  judgment  occupied  consider- 
ing our  trials,  &c.  their  causes  :  occupy  the  mind 
by  reflecting  on  the  goodness  of  God  in  creation, 
providence  and  grace ;  if  the  mind  be  employed 
thus,  prayerfully,  good  desires  and  resolutions  will 
be  the  result,  and  these  will  issue  in  a  holy  life. 
Remember,  &c.  in  speaking,  for  God  hears;  and  in 
acting,  for  God  sees. 

II.  The  time. 

Now  in  the  days  of  thy  youth.  Youth  is  life's 
holiday,  time  of  levity  and  hope  :  present  too 
often  dreamed  away,  and  the  future  based  on 
feelings  and  desires,  having  their  birth  in  the 
thoughtless  now.  Youth  is  evanescent,  its  beauty 
soon  fades,  its  purposes  soon  evaporate.  Religion 


YOUTOTUL  REFLECTIONS.  37 


confers  angelic  beauty  and  immortal  stability. 
God  requires  us  to  give  our  zealous,  blooming 
youth  to  him,  and  not  wait  till  we  become  old  and 
peevish.  In  making  a  nosegay  for  a  friend,  you 
select  opening  buds,  not  withered  flowers.  (Apply.) 

III.  The  reason. 

Evil  days  are  coming.. (Illustrate.)  Trouble,  sick- 
ness, poverty,  loss  of  friends,  &c. ;  another  reason, 
God  never  forgets  you.  Again,  Jesus  gave  the 
prime  of  his  life  to  you,  all  his  work  was  done  in 
thirty-four  years.  Religion  in  old  age  is  strength 
in  weakness,  pleasure  in  pain,  joy  in  sorrow,  riches 
in  poverty.  Again,  we  shall  soon  be  old  and 
gray-headed,  what  we  have  to  do  must  be  done 
quickly. 

Application. 

1.  In  age  memory  is  active,  what  will  yours 

be  employed  about  ? 

2.  In  eternity  the  memory  will  be  active, 

and  will  increase  our  pleasure  or  add  to 
our  pain. 

3.  Remember  your  Creator  so  as  to   love 

him. 

Psalm  xciv.  9.  <Jen.  xvi.  13.  2  Kings  xxii.  2.  Matt. 
ixi.  15,  16.  2  Tim.  iii.  14,  15.  1  Sam.  iii.  1-10. 

HTMN  299  :  In  the  soft  season  of  thy  youth, 
HYMN  302 :  Now,  in  the  heat  of  youthful  blood. 
HYMN  300  :  Remember  thy  Creator. 

4 


38  ALL   IS   WELL. 


in. 

ALL  IS  WELL. 

2  KINGS  iv.  26. 
Is  it  well  with  ;he  child  ?  And  she  answered,  It  is  well." 

INTRODUCE  by  sketching  the  history  of  the 
child. 

I.  It  is  well  with  a  child  when  his  temporal 
necessities  are  provided  for. 

Compare  circumstances  of  children,  beggars, 
poor,  many  without  house  or  friends :  one  little 
boy  in  London  told  Lord  Ashley  he  used  to  sleep 
every  night  in  a  garden-roller  in  Regent's  Park. 
Many  without  clothes :  10,000  children  commence 
the  day  in  London  and  have  no  one  to  give  the 
first  meal.  Many  even  in  the  United  States.  Mil- 
lions of  heathen  children.  It  is  well  with  you. 

II.  It  is  better  with  the  child  when  his  mental 
wants  are  supplied. 

For  the  soul  to  be  without  knowledge  is  not 
good.  Ignorance  of  savage  children.  Advantages 
of  useful  knowledge,  most  of  you  have  schools 
and  teachers.  (Apply.)  It  is  well  with  you. 


ALL   IS   WELL.  39 


III.  It  is  best  with  the  child  when  the  wants 
of  his  spiritual  nature  are  satisfied. 

Soul  of  great  value  and  capabilities ;  thirsts  for 
happiness,  wants  peace,  joy,  hope  of  heaven:  none 
but  Jesus  can  give  these  j  all  are  purchased  for 
you ;  if  you  enjoy  them  all,  then  is  it  pre-eminently 
well  with  you.  Could  your  mother  say  to  a  friend, 
if  you  were  lying  dead  on  your  little  bed  at  home, 
"  It  is  well  with  the  child."  Are  you  saved  ?  Do 
you  love  God  ?  &c.  &c. 

Application. 

1.  It  is  well  with  you  in  the  1st   and   2d 

particulars :  are  you  grateful  ?  God  gives 
food,  and  friends,  and  teachers,  &c. 

2.  Shall  I  leave  you,  feeling  it  to  be  alto- 

gether well  with  you  ?    Are  you  happy  ? 

3.  Would  it  be  well  with  you,  if  you  were  to 

die  to-night  ?     Pray  for  pardon  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

Prov.  xix.  2.    2  Tim.  L  5. 

HYMN  230 :  Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken. 
HYMM  556  :  I  thank  the  Lord  my  Maker. 
HYMK  557 :  Whene'er  I  take  my  walks  abroad. 


LOVE   FOR    THE    HOUSE   OF   GOD. 


IV. 

LOVE  FOR  THE  HOUSE  OF  GOD. 
PSALM  cxxii.  1. 

"  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord." 

INTRODUCE  by  speaking  of  temple,  Mount  Zion, 
tabernacle,  synagogue. 

I.  The  exhortation. 

Let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

1.  House  of  Lord,  (define,)  not  temple  merely, 
or  cathedral,  or  church,  or  chapel,  but  every  place 
of  religious  worship.     The  upper  room  at  Jeru- 
salem, &c.,  called  God's  house  because  his  special 
presence  is  manifested  there,  because  his  children 
feel  it  to  be  their  home. 

2.  "  Let  us  go  into,"  &c.     Some  say,  Let  us  go 
and  look  at  it,  and  admire  the  painted  windows,  and 
beautiful  cornices,  and  ancient  screens  and  anti- 
quities.   Others  say,  Let  us  play  around  it,  in  the 
porch  or  up  the  belfry. 

Let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  to  sing 
his  praises,  to  hear  his  word,  and  pray. 


LOVE  FOR   THE   HOUSE  OP   GOD.  41 


II.  The  joy  produced. 

"  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me/'  &c. :  not 
once  on  a  time  when  it  suited  my  humour,  but  I 
am  always  glad  :  glad,  because  by  being  invited  I 
found  others  loved  God's  house,  because  I  heard 
good  things  there,  because  good  people  were  found 
there,  because  the  house  of  God  is  the  gate  of 
heaven,  not  because  of  beautiful  music  or  new 
preacher,  &c.,  but  because  there  God  meets  with 
and  blesses  those  who  worship  him  in  spirit  and 
in  truth. 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  love  God's  house  ? 

2.  Do  you  show  your  love  by  silence  and 

attention  when  in  it  ? — punctuality. 

3.  Are    you    pleased    when    children    and 

parents,  and  teachers  say,  "  Let  us  go 
into  the  house  of  the  Lord  ?" 

4.  Do  you  invite  other  boys  and  girls  to  go 

into  the  house  of  the  Lord  ? 

Psalm  Ixxxiv.  10.  Isaiah  ii.  3.  Eccles.  v.  1.  Gen. 
xxviii.  17.  Psalm  xxiii.  6 ;  xxvii.  4.  Psalm  Ixxxvii.  2. 
Psalm  cxxxvii.  1.  Psalm  xlviii._2. 

HYMN  74 :  Lord  of  the  worlds  above. 
HYMN  76  :  Glad  was  my  heart  to  hear. 
HYMN  100 :  Welcome,  sweet  day  of  rest. 
HYMN  101 :  Safely  through  another  week. 


4* 


42  CHEIST  RECEIVES 


V. 

CHRIST  RECEIVES  LITTLE  CHILDREN. 

MATT.  xix.  13-15 ;  MARK  x.  13-16  ; 
LUKE  xviii.  15-17. 

TEXTS  show  mind  of  Christ  in  reference  to  little 
children  :  notice  two  leading  particulars. 

I.  The  displeasure  of  Jesus  toward  those  who 
would  keep  children  from  him. 

1.  They  were  his  disciples :  note,  good  people 
sometimes   err   through   ignorance,  or   prejudice, 
&c. ;  we  may  not  always  be  right. 

2.  Jesus  was  much  displeased  :  note,  it  was  not 
a   trifling   thing   that  could  make   Jesus  angry, 
particularly  with  those  he  loved.     He  was   now 
much  displeased,  how  great  the  sin  ! 

3.  Why  was  Christ  displeased  :  "  of  such,"  &c. 
not  of  little  children  because  they  are  little,  and 
children  j  but  because  of  their  love,  humility,  &c. 

II.  The  welcome  Jesus  gave  to  the  little  pbil- 
dren  who  were  taken  to  him. 

1.  He   took  them  up  in  his  arms — shepherds 
carry  the  lambs  in  their  arms  :  "  feed  my  lambs." 

2.  He  prayed  for  them  :  power  of  the  Saviour's 
prayer  :  "I  know  that  thou  hearest  me  always." 


LITTLE   CHILDREN.  43 

3.  He  put  his  hands  on  them  and  blessed  them. 
A  Saviour's  blessing,  its  value,  its  efficacy. 

Application. 

1.  To  disciples:  are  you  by  words  or  actions 

keeping  the  little  ones  from  Christ  ?  do 
you  think  them  too  young  ?  Luke  calls 
them  infants. 

2.  To  teachers :  forbid  them  not  who  would 

come  to  the  Saviour,  nor  by  indirect 
means  keep  the  little  ones  from  Jesus. 

3.  To   children :    coming  to  church,  Bible- 

class,  sabbath-school,  &c.  is  very  well, 
but  are  you  coming  to  Christ,  in  prayer, 
repentance,  faith? 

Matt,  xviii.  2-5.      Luke  xviii.  17.      Luke  ix.  48.     Psalm 
cxxvii.  3.     liaiah  xl.  11;  liv.  13.     Gen.  1.  21. 

HYMN  89  :  See  Israel's  gentle  Shepherd  stand. 
HYMN  366 :  As  Jesus  his  disciples  taught. 
HYMN  368  :  I  think  when  I  read. 


THE  YOUNG   DISCIPLE. 


VI. 

THE  YOUNG  DISCIPLE. 
JOHN  i.  40-42. 

"  One  of  the  two  which  heard  John  speak,  and  followed  him, 
was  Andrew,  Simon  Peter's  brother.  He  first  findeth  his 
own  brother  Simon,  and  saith  unto  him,  We  have  found 
the  Messias,  which  is,  being  interpreted,  the  Christ ;  and 
he  brought  him  to  Jesus." 

SUBJECT  :  The  character  of  the  young  disciple — 
he  is  distinguished — 

I.  By  his  love. 

He  loved  his  Saviour  specially,  and  his  brother, 
his  own  brother.  "  We  know  that  we  are  passed 
from  death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the  bre- 
thren." Religion  is  love  of  God  and  man  in  the 
heart :  he  who  has  most  love  for  God  and  man 
has  most  religion. 

II.  By  his  obedience. 

He  did  his  Saviour's  will  by  working  for  him, 
bringing  others  to  him,  trying  to  win  souls. 

III.  By  his  faith. 

He  believed  in  Jesus  as  the  Messias,  or  Saviour, 
and  particularly  as  his  Saviour. 


THE   YOUNG   DISCIPLE.  45 


IV.  By  his  humility. 

He  confessed  the  Saviour.  Some  are  ashamed 
of  being  thought  religious,  and  hide  even  from 
their  own  brothers  and  sisters,  and  parents,  and 
teachers,  a  fact  that  might  do  them  good. 

V.  By  his  zeal. 

He  thought  for  his  brother  and  brought  him  to 
Jesus.  Note,  he  had  to  find  his  brother,  perhaps 
to  overcome  his  objections  by  close  reasoning; 
how  well  would  it  be  if  children  would  find  their 
way  to  Jesus,  and  then  try  to  lead  others  to  the 
Saviour ! 

Application. 

1.  Have  you  gone  to  Jesus  as  a  sinner? 

2.  Are  you  trying  to  lead  others  to  him,  to 

the  Sabbath-school  ?  &c.  &c. 


2  John  5.  1  John  ii.  10  ;  iv.  12,  20,  21 ;  v.  2.  Horn.  x.  2. 
Col.iv.  13.  Tit.il.  14.  Gal.  iv.  18.  IPetv.  5.  Col.iii.12. 
Rom.  xvi.  19. 


HYMN  178  :  Vain,  delusive  world,  adieu  ! 
HYMN  391 :  Daniel's  wisdom  may  I  know. 
HYMN  419  :  Can  I,  a  little  child. 
HYMN  122 :  To  Jesus,  our  King. 


THE   GOOD   CHILD 


VII. 

THE  GOOD  CHILD  CAUTIONED  AND 
ADVISED. 

PROVERBS  i.  10. 
"  My  son,  if  sinners  entice  thee,  consent  thou  not." 

ALLUDE  to  wickedness  of  the  ungodly  in  seeking 
to  lead  the  good  away  from  God ;  like  Satan,  who, 
fallen  himself,  strove  to  lead  Adam  from  holiness. 

I.  Our  text  contains  a  word  of  caution. 
"  If  sinners  entice  thee," 

From  Sabbath-school,  sanctuary,  Bible  class, 

&c. 
From  love  of  Christ,  way  of  holiness,  way  to 

heaven. 

From  obedience,  love,  faith,  zeal,  godliness. 
By  their  looks  of  scorn  and  incredulity  at 

word  of  exhortation. 
By  their  words,  come  with  us. 
By  their  example. 

II.  Our  text  contains  a  word  of  advice. 
"  Consent  thou  not," 

By  listening  to  them. 

By  imitating  them  or  associating  with  them. 


CAUTIONED   AND   ADVISED.  47 


Because  their  way  is  the  way  of  sorrow,  sin, 

death,  hell. 

Because  their  company  is  degrading. 
Because  you  grieve  those  who  love  you  by 

going  with  wicked  children.     Birds  of  a 

feather  flock  together. 

Application. 

1.  To  sinners  :  how  wicked  are  you  to  entice 

the  good :  is  not  your  conduct  like  that 
pursued  by  Satan,  who  wishes  others  to 
be  wicked  because  he  is  so  ? 

2.  To  young  disciples :   God  calls  you   his 

child,  "my  son :"  as  a  father,  he  entreats 
you  not  to  consent  to  the  advice  of  the 
wicked :  will  you  try  to  lead  the  wicked  to 
the  Sunday-school,  &c.,  and  say,  "  Come 
with  us  and  we  will  do  you  good  ?" 


Psalm  i.  Num.  x.  29.  1  Cor.  XT.  33.  Eph.  iv.  29. 
Psalm  x.  7.  Psalm  Ivii.  4.  Num.  xvi.  26.  2  Tim.  ii.  1. 
Prov.  xiii.  14. 


HYMN  147 :  I  leave  the  world  with  willing  feet 

HYMN  217 :  Be  it  my  only  wisdom  here. 

HYMN  321 :  Why  should  I  join  with  those  in  play. 


48  fcRIDE. 


VIII. 

PRIDE. 

PROVERBS  xvi.  5. 

"  Every  one  that  is  proud  in  heart  is  an  abomination  to  the 
Lord." 

HERE  are — 

I.  Certain  characters  mentioned,  and 

II.  God's  opinion  of  them. 

I.  Certain  characters  mentioned. 
"  The  proud  in  heart." 

1.  The   sin,    pride,   (define,)  lofty  opinion  of 
self,  arising  from  ignorance  of  true  state.     This 
sin  ruined  the  angels,  and  Adam  and  Eve :  even 
we  do  not  love  proud  people, — we  think  very  little 
of  those  who  think  much  of  themselves. 

2.  The  seat  of  this  sin.     The  heart,  i.  e.  the 
dispositions,  &c.     All  sin  flows  from  the  heart : 
if  it  were  not  for  a  proud  heart,  there  would  be 
no   proud   looks   or  actions  —  heart    desperately 
wicked :  some  who  look  humble  and  modest  have 
proud   hearts — are   proud   of  neat   appearance : 
some,  proud  of  money,  clothes,  &c. 


PRIDE.  49 

II.  God's  opinion  of  them.  JM 

Very  different  from  their  opinion  of  themselves  : 
•while  they  think  they  are  somebody,  God  (whose 
opinion  must  be  correct)  holds  them  in  utter  con- 
tempt. 

Proud  people  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord, 
because  they  so  much  resemble  Satan. 

Are  they  proud  of  their  face  ?  God  made  it. 
Of  their  clothes  ?  an  insect  or  an  animal  wore  it 
first  —  it  is  second  hand.  Of  money?  there  are 
many  richer  :  and  theirs  will  soon  fly  away. 

Application. 

1.  If  we   desire   God's   love   we  must  be 
humble. 

2.  Let  us  pray  for  an  humble  mind. 

3.  And,  being  humble  ourselves,  let  us  re- 
prove the  proud. 

Esther  v.  11.  vi.  6.  Jer.  xlviii.  29.  Isaiah  ii.  11,  17. 
Ps.  xviii.  27.  Ps.  ci.  5.  Prov.  viii.  13.  Prov.  xvi.  18. 
Prov.  xxi.  4.  Eccles.  vii.  8.  Jer.  1.  32.  James  iv.  6. 
1  Pet.  v.  5.  1  Tim.  vi.  4. 


0  that  I  could  repent. 
HYMN  359  :  Why  should  our  garments,  made  to  hide 
HTMH  360  :  Why  should  our  parents  call  us  good. 


OBEDIENCE   TO   PARENTS. 


IX. 

OBEDIENCE   TO   PARENTS. 
EPHESIANS  vi.  1. 

"  Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right." 

I.  A  DUTY  enjoined. 
"  Obey  your  parents." 

Define.  Obedience ;  willing  and  cheerful  per- 
formance of  duty.  . 

Obedience ;  true  test  of  affection.  An  obe- 
dient child  will  not  wait  to  be  told  before  he  does 
a  thing  which  he  knows  ought  to  be  done. 

Some  children  have  wicked  parents  who  teach 
their  children  to  sin;  these  should  be  gently 
reproved. 

II.  Manner  of  performing  it. 
"  In  the  Lord." 

That  is,  for  the  Lord's  sake :  because  it  is  his 
will. 

A  child  may  be  told  to  do  something  that  may 
interfere  with  his  play  and  arrangements ;  but,  to 
please  the  Lord  and  his  parents,  he  will  imme- 
diately do  it. 

We  must  learn  in  all  things  to  desire  God's 
glory. 


OBEDIENCE   TO   PARENTS.  61 


III.  The  reason  given. 

For  it  is  right. 

Because  God  commands  it. 

Because  it  is  a  proof  of  love  to  parents  and  to 
God. 

Because  God  is  honoured  by  a  cheerful  submis- 
sion to  others  for  his  sake. 

Though  the  command  may  not  be  pleasant,  you 
should  reflect  that  parents  are  older  and  wiser 
than  children. 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  obey  from  fear  or  love,  or  to  ho- 

nour God  ? 

2.  If  you  have  disobeyed  your  parents  to- 

day, or  at  any  other  time,  seek  forgive- 
ness from  them  and  from  God. 

3.  Be  watchful  for  time  to  come. 


Prov.  i.  8  ;  iv.  1 ;  x.  1 ;  xvii.  21 ;  xxvii.  11.     Matt.  xv.  4. 

Luke  ii.   51.  Gen.  xlv.  13,  Joseph's  duty   to  his   father. 

Exod.  xx.  12.  Kuth  ii.  11.     Prov.  vi.  20.     Luke  xv.  11-32. 

John  viii.  49.  Prov.  xxiii.  22. 


HYMN  316  :  Let  children  that  would  fear  the  Lord. 
HYMN  317 :  Holy  child,  of  heavenly  birth. 
HYMN  385 :  Abash'd  be  all  the  boast  of  age. 
HYMN  543 :  My  father,  my  mother,  I  know. 


52  FOLLOWING  BAD   ADVICE. 


X. 

FOLLOWING  BAD  ADVICE. 
2  CHRONICLES  x.  13,  14. 

INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  the  kingdom  of 
David  and  Solomon. 

I.  The  prince. 

Young.     2  Chron.  xiii.  7. 

Proud,  thoughtless,  self-willed,  inexperienced. 

II.  His  counsellors. 

Some  were  old,  had  been  Solomon's  advisers — 
wise,  humble,  conciliating,  peaceful. 

Others  were  young,  had  lived  with  him  from 
youth — proud,  ignorant,  imprudent,  quarrelsome. 

III.  The  advice. 

1.  Of  the  old  men :  consider  the  matter,  speak 
kindly,  &c. 

2.  Of  the  young  men  :  be  bold  and  brave,  beat 
them  with  scorpions,  remember  you  are  somebody. 

IV.  Conduct  of  the  prince. 

He  listened  to  the  good  advice,  and  perhaps 
approved  of  it ;  many  are  willing  to  listen, 

He  followed  the  advice  of  the  thoughtless, 


FOLLOWING   BAD   ADVICE.  53 

though  possibly  he  condemned  it :  his  conduct 
was  consequently  haughty,  overbearing,  tyrannical, 
foolish. 

V.  Consequences. 

The  people  rebelled  who  lived  in  ten  out  of 
twelve  provinces ;  so  the  prince  lost  above  three- 
fourths  of  the  number  of  his  states,  great  reve- 
nues, and  much  of  his  dignity. 

Application. 

1.  Who  can  give  you  the  best  advice  ?  whom 

should  you  follow  ? 

2.  By  following  bad  advice  you  may  become 

a   Sabbath-breaker,  lose  favour  of  the 
good,  and  at  last  fall  into  hell. 

3.  Good  advice,  if  followed    will   guide  to 

heaven. 

1  Cor.  xv.  33.  Num.  xvi.  26.  Ps.  Ivii.  4.  2  Tim.  ii.  1. 
Eph.  iv.  29.  Ps.  x.  7.  Num.  x.  29.  Ps.  1. 

HYMN  315 :  The  Lord  commands  his  day  shall  be. 
HYMN  483  :  How  serious  is  the  charge. 
HYMN  501 :  Author  of  faith,  we  seek  thy  face. 


5* 


HOW   TO    SUFFER. 


XI. 

HOW  TO   SUFFER,  AND  HOW  TO  ACT. 

ROMANS  xii.  21. 
"  Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good." 

OUR  text  contains  two  directions  to  such  as  are 
persecuted. 

I.  How  to  suffer 

"  Be  not  overcome  of  evil." 

Do  not  let  your  temper  be  ruffled. 

Do  not  be  daunted  when  you  receive  an  injury. 

Do  not  be  prevented  from  pursuing  the  path  of 
duty. 

Do  not  let  an  injury  cause  a  breach  in  your 
friendship  with  good  people. 

Do  not  let  persecution  prevent  you  from  pray- 
ing to  God :  remember  Daniel,  the  three  Hebrew 
children,  &c. 

II.  How  to  act. 

•(  Overcome  evil  with  good." 
Pray  for  those  who  persecute  you. 
Do  them   acts  of  kindness.     (Naaman's  little 
maid.) 

Freely  forgive  them,  as  King  John  of  Poland,  who 


AND   HOW   TO   ACT.  55 


forgave  those  who  conspired  against  him,  and  thus 
made  foes  his  friends.  Richard  forgave  the  archer 
who  shot  him.  Seek  for  the  first  opportunity  of 
returning  good  for  evil. 

Application. 

1.  Has  afly  one  done  you  an  injury — what 

do  you  mean  to  do,  pay  him  out  ? 
Would  it  not  be  better  to  shake  hands  ? 

2.  Jesus  overcame  evil  with  good,  and  sent 

his  gospel  first  to  the  sinners  at  Jerusa- 
lem who  crucified  him,  and  to  us  whose 
sins  helped  to  put  him  to  death. 

3.  "Pray  for  your  enemies."  Matt.  vi.  17. 

Luke  x.  30,  parable  of  the  good  Samaritan — Samaritans 
and  Jews  at  enmity.  Pro v.  xxv.  21,22.  Rom.  xii.  20.  Matt, 
v.  39.  2  Sam.  iii.  30.  Luke  vi.  27.  Ps.  xxxv.  12 ;  cix.  5  ; 
xxxviii.  20.  Prov.  xvii.  13.  Jesus  prayed  for  his  murder- 
ers: "Father  forgive  them,"  &c.  Luke  xxiii.  34. 

HYMX  239  :  When,  for  some  little  insult  given. 
HYMN  318  :  Let  dogs  delight  to  bark  and  bite. 
HYMN  387  :  Loving  Jesus,  gentle  Lamb. 


56  THE  PRINCIPAL  THING. 


XII. 

THE  PRINCIPAL  THING. 

PROVERBS  iv.  7. 
"  Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing,  therefore  get  wisdom." 

I.  A  FACT  stated. 

II.  A  DUTY  inferred. 

I.  A  fact  stated. 

"  Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing." 

Some  think  money  is  the  principal  thing. 

Some  think  power,  honour,  fame,  beauty,  &c. 

God  says  the  principal  thing  is  wisdom.  Wis- 
dom (define)  sometimes  stands  for  knowledge, 
sometimes  religion,  sometimes  Christ. 

Knowledge  Strengthens  the  mind.  "Know- 
ledge is  power." 

Keligion  sanctifies  the  affections. 

Jesus  Christ,  by  his  death  and  work,  saves  the 
soul ;  then  it  must  be  the  principal  thing :  more 
precious  than  rubies,  and  more  valuable  than  gold 
— will  last  longer,  and  make  us  most  like  God. 

II.  A  duty  inferred. 

"  Therefore  get  wisdom." 
We  would  all  like  to  have  that  which  is  worth 
most. 


THE   PRINCIPAL   THING.  57 


How  may  we  get  wisdom  ? 

Knowledge  :  by  reading  good  books,  talking  to 
good  people,  listening  attentively  to  what  we  hear, 
and  well  thinking  it  over.  (Observation.) 

Religion  :  attendance  at  means  of  grace,  prayer, 
and  study  of  the  Bible. 

Jesus  Christ :  seek  him  as  your  Saviour ;  his 
Spirit  shall  enlighten  your  mind,  and  strengthen 
your  memory,  and  purify  your  heart. 

Application. 

1.  What  do  you  think  the  principal  thing  ? 

2.  Will  you  try  to  get  heavenly  wisdom  ? 

Prov.  xix.  2.  2  Chron.  i.  10.  Hos.  iv.  6.  Prov.  xxiii.  23  ; 
xxiv.  5.  Dan.  ii.  21.  Matt  xii.  42.  Proir.  iii.  13 ;  xvi.  16. 

HYMN  191 :  Happy  the  man  that  finds  the  grace. 
HYMN  341 :  Why  should  we  spend  our  youthful  days. 
HYMN  378 :  0  happy  is  the  man  who  hears. 


SUBMISSION   TO   TEACHERS. 


XIII. 

SUBMISSION  TO  TEACHERS. 
1  PETER  ii.  13. 


"  Submit  yourself  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord's 
.    sake." 


I.  THE  apostle's  injunction. 

"  Submit  yourselves  to  every  ordinance  of  man." 
Ordinance  may  be  a  written  law  or  rule,  or  it  may 
be  a  command  given  by  word  of  mouth. 

You,  as  Sabbath-school  children,  are  expected 
to  submit  to  the  rules  of  the  school  and  to  the 
authority  of  the  teacher.  To  ordinances  of  each 
kind  you  should  cheerfully  submit. 

Your  submission  should  be  willing  and  cheer- 
ful, because  you  are  not  commanded  by  tyrants. 

II.  The  apostle's  reason. 
"  For  the  Lord's  sake." 

The  Lord  commands  it :  see  Eph.  vi. 

A  willing  obedience  is  pleasing  to  God. 

One  who  is  not  willing  to  submit  to  laws  of 
men  will  scarcely  submit  to  any  law,  divine  or 
human 

If  we  had  no  law  there  would  be  no  order : 
laws  are  made  to  punish  the  guilty  and  protect 


SUBMISSION   TO   TEACHERS.  59 


the  good.  A  good  law  never  did  a  good  person 
harm.  "  Thou  shalt  not  steal"  affects  the  thief, 
and  protects  the  honest  man  :  and  so  on. 

Application. 

1.  Some  of  you  are  obedient,  you  give  your 

teachers  pleasure,  and  God  regards  you 
with  love. 

2.  Some,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  are  not  so  sub- 

missive :  will  you  try  to  do  better  ? 

Prov.  xxix.  3.  Matt.  viii.  9.  Mark  xiii.  34.  Luke 
xxii.  25.  Eph.v.  21.  1  Chron.  xxix.  24.  1  Pet.  v.  5.  Heb. 
xiii.  7.  1  Cor.  xvi.  16.  Tit.  iii.  1.  1  Sam.  xv.  22. 

HYMN  431:  Come,  let  our  voices  join. 
HYMN  462 :  0  Father  of  all. 
HYMN  555 :  0  make  me  a  very  good  child. 
HYMN  573  :  Here,  Lord,  before  thy  mercy-seat 


60  CALL  OF   SAMUEL. 


XIV. 

CALL  OF  SAMUEL. 
1  SAMUEL  iii.  1-10. 

I.  HE  was  waiting  or  ministering  on  the  Lord. 
He   was  thus   engaged  in  the  temple-service, 

trimming  the  lamp  and  attending  on  the  high- 
priest. 

Do  not  you  wait  on  God  ?  do  not  you  sing  and 
pray  in  the  sanctuary  ? 

II.  He  did  not  know  the  Lord. 

To  know  the  Lord  is  to  be  acquainted  with  him 
by  heart-felt  experience  ;  to  enjoy  the  forgiving 
love  of  God,  and  the  Spirit  of  adoption. 

Do  you  know  the  Lord  ? 

III.  The  Lord  called  him. 

"Samuel,  Samuel/'  repeatedly.  Note — time, 
place,  &c. 

The  Lord  calls  us  all  to  love  and  serve  him ; 
he  says  to  each  of  you,  "  My  son,  give  me  thy 
heart."  Have  you  not  felt  something  telling  you, 
sometimes,  that  what  has  been  said  in  the  Sunday- 
school  just  suited  you  ?  have  you  not  many  times 
gone  home  wishing  you  were  good  ?  Yes.  That 


CALL   OP   SAMUEL.  61 

is  God's  Spirit  teaching  you.     God  calls  by  provi- 
dence and  word. 

IV.  He  inquires  of  Eli. 

Hearing  a  personal  call,  he  went  to  EH  :  some- 
body called  him  by  name — he  thought  wise  old 
Eli  could  explain  the  mystery.  How  humble  was 
young  Samuel-^not  too  proud  to  ask.  Have  you 
ever  told  your  teachers  your  state  of  mind  ? 

V.  Eli  explains. 

Eli  was  old  in  the  ways  of  God,  and  Samuel's 
guide  and  teacher — none  so  ^proper.  Eli  was 
willing  to  give  advice — he  loved  Samuel.  Your 
teacher  loves  you,  &c.,  and  will  give  you  good 
advice. 

VI.  Samuel  cheerfully  responded  to  the  call, 
and  said  "  Here  am  I." 

He  did  not  hesitate,  or  think  he  would  wait 
another  night,  but  at  once  said,  "Here  am  I." 
This  implies,  1.  That  he  wanted  to  hear  more  of 
the  Lord's  will ;  and  2.  That  he  was  willing  to 
serve  the  Lord.  What  will  you  do  ?  will  you  try 
to  seek  the  Lord  ?  will  you  try  to  serve  the  Lord, 
and  follow  his  gracious  Spirit,  and  give  your  hearts 
to  Jesus  ? 

HYMN  343  :  Youth,  health,  and  strength  are  ours  to-day. 
HYMN  388  :  When  little  Samuel  woke. 
HYMN  389  :  Happy  Samuel,  to  God, 


C 


A   GOOD   NAME. 


XV. 

A  GOOD   NAME. 

PROVERBS  xxii.  1. 

"A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great  riches." 

TEXT  contains  a  comparison  between  a  good 
name  and  great  riches. 

Let  us  speak, 

I.  Of  great  riches. 

Consider  a  king's  wealth — a  crown,  sceptre, 
throne,  palace,  kingdom. 

Consider  a  miser's  wealth — heaps  of  gold,  boxes 
of  jewels,  chests  of  plate,  &c. 

Consider  a  gentleman's  wealth — fine  house, 
park,  land,  carnage,  &c. 

Let  us  now  consider, 

II.  A  good  name. 

One  may  have  a  good  name  for  love  to  God  and 
man,  for  truthfulness,  honesty,  sobriety,  piety, 
&c.  &.G. 

Let  us, 

III.  Try  to  find  out  why  a  good  name  is  more 
to  be  desired. 


A   GOOD   NAME. 


1.  Because  more  certainly  obtained.     By  the 
help  of  God  we  can  live  in  the  practice  of  all 
that  can  win  for  us  a  good  name. 

2.  Because  more  easily  obtained.     It  may'  be 
gained  in  a   short  time.      Millions   die   without 
being  rich  who  spend  long  lives  in  getting  money. 
The  poor  may  have  a  good  name. 

3.  Because  the  greatest  quantity  of  gold  can 
only  last  a  life-time.     A  good  name  is  immortal. 

4.  Because  a  good  name  will  win  God's  favour, 
and  the  favour  of  wise  and  good  people :  wealth 
may  only  win  for  us  the  envy  of  men  and  the 
contempt  of  God. 

Application. 

1.  Let  those  who  have  a  good  name  keep  it. 

2.  Let  those  who  have  not,  seek  to  obtain  it. 

3.  Pray  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  guide  and 

teach  you. 

Deut.  xxvi.  19.  2  Sam.  xxiii.  18.  Job  xviii.  17.  Prov. 
xi.  4.  Eccles.  vii.  1.  Isaiah  Ivi.  5.  Matt.  xxvi.  13.  Luke 
vii.  4,  5. 

HYMN  4 :  0  God,  we  praise  thee,  and  confess. 
HYMN  303  :  Now  let  a  true  ambition  rise. 
HYMN  454:  Young  men  exhort,  the  aj ostle  said. 


64  KNOWLEDGE   OP 


XVI. 

KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 
JOB  six.  25. 

"  I  know  that  my  Kedeemer  liveth." 
To  understand  the  text  we  will — 

I.  Consider  the  word  Redeemer. 
To  redeem  is, 

1.  To  buy  back  persons  and  things  formerly 
sold,  by  paying  a  due  price  for  them :  Leviticus 
xxv.  25. 

To  redeem  is, 

2.  To  deliver  from  distress  or  bondage  by  an 
act  of  power  and  love  :  Deut.  vii.  8 ;  xxxii.  6. 

To  redeem  is, 

3.  To  deliver  men  from  broken  law,  sin,  Satan, 
evil  world,  death,  hell,  by  the   price  of  Jesus' 
obedience,  sufferings,  and  death  :  Gal.  iv.  4,  5 ; 
Tit.  ii.  14;  Luke  i.  68;  1  Pet.  i.  18,  19. 

Under  Jewish  law,  if  any  one  through  poverty 
mortgaged  his  estate,  his  nearest  relative  (god,  or 
redeemer)  bought  it  back.  Or,  if  any  one  sold 
himself  into  bondage,  his  nearest  kinsman  (the 
<joeT)  bought  him  back  again.  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  great  Redeemer,  our  nearest  kinsman,  our 
elder  brother. 


THE  REDEEMER.  65 


II.  What  is  meant  by  the  expression,  "My 
Redeemer  liveth  ?" 

Jesus  Christ  lived  from  the  beginning. 

He  lived  thirty-three  years  in  this  world. 

He  lives  now  in  heaven  in  his  glorious  king- 
dom. 

He  lives  in  every  believer's  heart,  by  his  wit- 
nessing Spirit. 

III.  What  is  to  be  understood  by  one's  saying, 
"I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth?" 

1.  Believing  that  Jesus  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting,  according  to  nis  word. 

2.  Feeling  that  he  dwelleth  in  me.     If  Jesus 
live  in  the  hearts  of  holy  people,  and  if  they  know 
it,  then  how  is  it  that  we  are  ignorant  of  this 
truth  ?    Answer,  because  we  are  not  holy.    Where 
Jesus  is,  there  is  happiness,  and  peace,  and  joy, 
and  righteousness. 

Application. 

1.  Can  you  say,  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer 

liveth  ?" 

2.  Then  he  controls  all  your  thoughts,  words, 

actions. 

3.  Because  he  lives  you  shall  live  also. 

John  xiv.  19.  Col.  i.  27.  2  Cor.  v.  7.  John  xx.  29. 
2  Tim.  i.  12.  Heb.  vii.  25. 

HYMN  58  :  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives. 
HYMN  113  :  Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow. 
HYMN  170 :  0  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing. 

6* 


66  GOD   HEARS   EVERY  WORD. 


XVII. 

GOD   HEARS  EVERY  WORD. 
PSALM  cxxxix.  4. 

"  There  is  not  a  word  in  my  mouth,  but  lo,  0  Lord,  thou 
knowest  it  altogether. 

GOD  knows,  and  sees,  and  hears,  every  thought, 
and  action,  and  word.  Proof  of  God's  hearing, 
from  circumstances  narrated  in  John  xx.  24,  to 
the  end.  Thomas  spoke  unbelievingly:  Jesus 
proved,  that,  though  at  the  time  unseen,  he  had 
heard  every  thing.  "  He  that  formed  the  ear, 
shall  he  not  hear  T' 

I.  Words  sometimes  spoken  by  the  tongue. 
Wicked  people  take  God's  name  in  vain,  utter 

oaths,  tell  untruths,  speak  passionately,  mock  the 
good. 

Brothers  and  sisters  quarrel  sometimes,  use  dis- 
obedient language. 

The  tongue  should  be  used  to  utter  words  of 
wisdom,  kindness,  truth,  love,  friendship,  advice, 
prayer,  and  praise. 

II.  God  hears  every  word. 

He  heard  Thomas,  and  Ananias,  and  Sapphira, 
and  he  heard  the  wicked  children  mock  Elisha. 


GOD   HEARS  EVERY  WORD.  67 

He  heard  Daniel  pray,  and  David,  and  Elijah, 
&c. 

"Wicked  and  improper  words  make  God  angry. 

Good  words  give  him  pleasure. 

All  words  spoken  by  us  are  written  in  his  book, 
and  we  shall  be  judged  by  them,  whether  they  are 
good  or  bad. 

Application. 

What  have  you  talked  about  to-day :  have 
you  spoken  unkindly  to  school-fellows, 
disobediently  to  parents  or  teachers  ? 

Will  you  try  to  curb  your  tongue,  and  train 
it  to  sing  and  pray? 

Will  you  imitate  Jesus?  The  people  won- 
dered at  his  wisdom  when  a  child,  &c. 

Jobxxxiv.  28.  Psalm  xxxiv.  17.  Psalm  Ixvi.  19.  Psalm 
xciv.  9.  Psalm  xii.  3.  Prov.  xv.  23.  Psalm  xxxv.  28. 
1  Peter  iii.  10.  Isaiah  iii.  8.  James  iii.  5.  Psalms  xvii.  3 ; 
xix.  14  j  cxli.  3. 

HYMN  273 :  And  must  I  be  to  judgment  brought? 
HYMN  313 :  Our  tongues  were  made  to  bless  the  Lord. 
HYMN  351 :  Words  are  things  of  little  cost. 


THE  LORD   EARLY   SOUGHT   FOR, 


xvin. 

THE  LORD  EARLY  SOUGHT   FOR,  EARLY 
FOUND. 

PROVERBS  viii.  17. 
"  They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me." 

I.  THE  persons  addressed. 

II.  A  promise  given  to  young  inquirers. 

I.  The  persons  addressed. 

Youthful  seekers  of  the  Lord :  children  who 
iOve  the  Saviour. 

To  seek  the  Lord  is  to  read  his  word,  to  obey 
his  commands,  to  pray  to  him,  and  to  sing  his 
praises. 

To  seek  him  early  is  to  love  him  when  a  child, 
i.  e.  early  in  life :  you  have  all  begun  to  sin,  then 
you  should  all  begin  to  pray. 

"  Early,"  may  mean  early  in  the  day,  as  David 
and  Mary. 

II.  A  promise  given  to  young  inquirers. 
"  They  shall  find  me." 

By  finding  the  Lord  is  meant  enjoying  his 
favour,  possessing  his  presence,  trusting  in  his 
salvation. 


EARLY  FOUND. 


They  shall  find  me  when  children,  as  Timothy, 
Josiah,  Samuel.  In  the  hour  of  trial :  "  When 
my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me,  then  the 
Lord  will  take  me  up." 

In  time  of  temptation,  persecution,  poverty,  &c. 

In  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  judgment- 
day. 

Application. 

1.  Are  you  seeking  the  Lord  ? 

2.  Then  be  encouraged,  for  you  shall  find 

him. 

3.  What   a  terror    will    dying    and    being 

judged  be  to  those  who  have  not  sought 
the  Lord ! 


Prov.  xi.  27.  1  Chron.  xxviii.  9.  2  Chron.  xxx.  9 ;  xxxiv  3 
Ezra  viii.  22.  Job  viii.  5.  Psalms  Ixiii.  1 ;  xxvii.  8 ;  ix.  10 ; 
cxix.  2.  Cant.  iiL  2.  Isaiah  xlv.  19.  Dan.  ix.  3.  Lam.  iii. 
2S.  Rom.  iii.  11.  Job  xxiii.  3.  Heb.  iv.  16.  Prov.  i.  28. 


HYMJT  298  :  Te  hearts,  with  youthful  vigour  warm. 
HTMN  308  :  Go,  thou,  in  life's  fair  morning. 
HYMN  508 :  My  God,  who  makest  the  sun  to  know. 


FOLLOWING   GOOD  ADVICE. 


XIX. 
FOLLOWING  GOOD  ADVICE. 

2  CHRONICLES  XT. 
INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  Scripture  narrative. 

I.  Meeting  of  King  Asa  and  Prophet  Oded. 
King  at  the  head  of  conquering  army,  return- 
ing in  triumph  to  Jerusalem,  flushed  with  victory. 

Prophet,  a  meek,  hoary-headed  man,  perhaps 
bending  with  years,  goes  out  to  meet  the  king. 

II.  Advice  of  the  prophet. 

(To  a  king.)  Seek  the  Lord,  ver.  2:  never 
leave  the  Lord,  be  courageous,  ver.  1,  &c. 

III.  Conduct  of  the  prince. 

Although  returning  from  conquest,  he  was  not 
proud. 

He  took  courage,  ver.  8;  abolished  idolatry, 
ver.  8 ;  established  true  religion,  ver.  8 ;  entered 
into  a  covenant  to  serve  God,  ver.  12. 

IV.  Result  of  this  conduct. 
The  people  rejoiced,  ver.  15. 

They  sought  and  found  the  Lord,  ver.  15. 


FOLLOWING   GOOD   ADVICE 


They  had  peace,  and  Asa  himself  was  benefited 
ver.  17. 

Application. 

1.  Asa  in  the  moment  of  victory  was  teach- 

able and  humble.  Are  you  willing  to 
listen  to  advice  at  all  times,  or  only 
when  in  trouble  ? 

2.  You  are  now  in  health  and   prosperity; 

will  you,  like  Asa,  take  courage,  and 
in  spite  of  all  opposition  from  wicked 
people,  seek  the  Lord  ?  Then  will  good 
people  rejoice,  and  you  shall  have  peace 
and  a  perfect  heart. 

Acts  xviii.  24,  the  eloquent  Apollos  submitting  to  be  taught 
of  two  tent-makers.  See  notes  to  Sketch  No.  10,  also  Judges 
xx.  7.  1  Sam.  XXY.  33.  Exodus  xxiii.  2.  Psalm  xxxviii, 
20.  Daniel  xi.  33.  2  Kings  xii.  2.  Psalm  1.  17.  Jer. 
xxxii.  33.  Zeph.  iii.  7.  2  Tim.  iii.  16.  Prov.  xiii.  1. 

HYMN  20 :  Come,  sound  his  praise  abroad, 
HYMN  102  :  How  sweet  is  the  Sabbath ! 
HYMN  109 :  We're  pass'd  another  Sabbath-day. 
HYMN  580:  And  now  another  hour  is  past. 


72  GOD  PITIES   US. 


XX. 

GOD  PITIES  US. 
PSALM  ciii.  13. 

"  Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitietb 
them  that  fear  him." 

I.  WHOM  does  God  pity  ? 
"  Them  that  fear  him." 

Two  kinds  of  fear — righteous  fear  and  unholy 
fear. 

A  man  has  an  orchard,  his  children  who  love 
him  and  yet  fear  to  offend  him,  knowing  he  will 
be  angry  and  punish  them,  take  care  to  let  the 
fruit  alone:  not  so  bad  children,  who  fear  him 
after  a  different  sort. 

The  sign  of  genuine  fear  is  obedience. 

The  wicked  child  is  afraid  of  God,  but  he  does 
not  fear  him  with  a  righteous  fear,  or  he  would 
leave  off  to  be  wicked. 

Those  who  fear  the  Lord  will  serve  him,  abstain 
from  sin,  keep  his  word,  &c. 

II.  How  he  pities  them. 

"  Like  as,a  father  pitieth  his  children/'  i,  e.  as- 
often  as  they  are  in  trouble. 


GOD  PITIES   US  73 


His  pity  is  associated  with  an  effort  to  relieve 
and  assuage  their  sorrows. 

Pity  arises  from  a  knowledge  of  the  child's  im- 
perfections, inexperience,  and  ignorance. 

"Like  as  a  father,"  &c.  A  father  will  pity  to 
the  uttermost  of  his  heart's  affection :  how  great 
the  love  of  the  Almighty  Father ! 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  fear  the  Lord  ?  then  you  ohey  him. 

2.  Then  God  who  knows  your  trials,  pities 

you.  ^ 

3.  (rod  joins  power  to  pity.     Jesus  wept  at 

the  grave  of  Lazarus  and  showed  his 
pity :  he  spoke  and  displayed  his  power. 

Matt.  vii.  11.  Psalm  xxxiii.  18.  Deut.  x.  12.  Joshua 
xxiv.  14.  1  Sam.  xii.  14  and  24.  Psalm  xxxiv.  9.  Prov. 
iii.  7.  Neh.  vii.  2.  Job  i.  1.  Acts  x.  2.  1  Kings  xviii.  3. 
Mai.  iii.  16.  Gen.  xxii.  12. 

HYMN  14 :  Poor  and  needy  though  I  be. 

HYMN  152  :  Our  Father  in  heaven. 

HYMN  231 :  Through  all  the  changing  scenes  in  life. 


74  THE   CLEAN    HEART. 


XXL 

THE  CLEAN  HEART. 

PSALM  li.  10. 
"  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  0  God." 

I.  SHOW  what  is  meant  by  heart  in  text. 

The  centre  of  the  circulating  system  is  the 
heart :  the  blood  flows  from  the  heart.  So  mind, 
dispositions,  from  whence  proceed  the  issues  of 
life,  are  sometimes  called  the  heart. 

Heart  in  text  means — dispositions,  will,  affec- 
tions, fountain  of  thought,  speech,  action. 

II.  What  is  meant  by  a  clean  heart  ? 

A  heart  right  with  God,  in  which  good  thoughts 
arise;  which  hates  sin  and  loves  God,  which  is 
well  disposed  toward  every  good  thing. 

III.  Meaning  of  create. 

To  form  out  of  nothing,  as  at  creation  of  world. 
Only  God  can  create.     Reformation  of  life,  not 
change  of  heart 

IY.  Why  we  need  to  have  a  new  heart  ? 
Our   hearts  are   naturally  deceitful   above  all 
things,  and   desperately  wicked.     They   are   not 


THE   CLEAN   HEART.  75 


disposed  to  love  God.  All  actions  proceed  from 
the  heart :  a  good  action  cannot  flow  from  a  bad 
heart;  though  the  action  may  appear  good,  it  is 
not  so,  unless  it  come  from  a  believing  heart. 
We  cannot  love  and  serve  God,  and  go  to  heaven, 
without  one. 

V.  Let  us  all  pray  for  a  clean  heart. 

1.  Because  our  holiness  and  happiness  depend 
on  our  possessing  it. 

2.  Because  only  God  can  give  us  a  clean  heart. 
Note  :    education  can  only  enlighten  the  mind ; 

and  good  advice  only  mend  the  character. 

Application. 

1.  Have  you  clean  hearts  ? 

2.  Can  you  go  to  heaven  without  them? 

3.  Will  you  offer  David's  prayer? 

Lev.  xvi.  30.  Prov.  xvi.  2.  Psalm  Ixxiii.  1.  James  iv.  8. 
1  John  i.  9.  Isaiah  i.  16.  Matt.  viii.  2,  3.  Mark  i.  40,  41. 
Luke  v.  12,  13.  Matt,  xxiii.  25.  Psalm  cxxxiv.  23,  24. 
Jer.  xxxiii.  8.  1  John  i.  7.  Psalm  xxiv.  4.  Matt^p.  8. 
Luke  vi.  45.  1  Kings  viii.  61 ;  xi.  4;  xv.  14. 

HYMN  138 :  Lord,  we  are  vile,  conceived  in  sin. 
HYMN  201 :  0  for  a  heart  to  praise  my  God ! 
HYMN  356 :  Great  Father  on  high. 


76  THE   SECRET   OF  THE 


xxn. 

THE  SECRET  OF  THE  GOOD  MAN'S 

SUCCESS. 

ACTS  xi.  22-24. 

"And  they  sent  forth  Barnabas,  that  he  should  go  as  far  as 
Antioch.  Who,  when  he  was  come,  and  had  seen  the 
grace  of  God,  was  glad ;  and  exhorted  them  all,  that  with 
purpose  of  heart  they  would  cleave  unto  the  Lord.  For 
he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of 
faith,  and  much  people  was  added  unto  the  Lord." 

IN  speaking  of  Barnabas  we  snail  make  some 
remarks — 

]1*  On  his  character. 

1.  He  was  cheerful,  ver.  23 — full  of  love  to 
good  people  and  good  things.     An  obedient  son 
of  the  church,  went  afar,  even  to  Antioch. 

2.  He  was  a  good  man,  i.  e.  he  had  a  good 
.heart,  did  good  actions,  spoke  good  words,  full  of 
Holy  Ghost,  therefore  exhibited  fruits  of  Spirit, 
full  of  faith  in  God,  had  no  confidence  in  his 
eloquence  or  piety,  his  hope  was  in  God. 

II.  On  his  labours. 

Long  journeys  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  make 


GOOD  MAN'S  SUCCESS.        •       77 


people  good  Christians,  to  save  sinners,  and  point 
them  to  Christ,  to  build  up  believers  in  the  faith. 

III.  On  his  success. 

The  good  were  established  in  their  good  way. 
The  wicked  were  converted  and  added  to  the 
Lord. 

Application. 

1.  Would  you  like  to  be  useful  to  others  ? 

2.  Then  you  must  be  good  yourselves. 

3.  All   good   comes  from  God,  who  blesses 

the  labours  of  good  people. 

Isaiah  lii.  11.     2  Sam.  xxii.  23.     Micah  iii.  8.     Zech.  iv. 
6.     Matt.  ix.  8.    Acts  iii.  12 ;  iv.  7  j  v.  4.    2  Cor.  xii.  10. 

HYMN  24 :  Young  men  and  maidens,  raise. 
HYMN  409  :  May  we  who  teach  the  rising  race. 
HYMN  487 :  Except  the  Lord  conduct  the  plan. 


78          *  YOUNG  JOSIAH. 


XXIII. 
YOUNG  JOSIAH. 

2  KINGS  xxii.  1,  2. 

"  Josiah  was  eight  years  old  when  he  began  to  reign  .... 
....  And  he  did  that  which  was  right  in  the  sight  of 
the  Lord,  and  walked  in  all  the  way  of  David  his  father 
and  turned  not  aside  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left." 

INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  preceding  reign  of 
Amon. 

Character  of  young  Josiah :  let  us  notice, 

I.  The  evil  he  avoided. 

"  He  turned  not  aside  to  the  right  hand  or  to 
the  left." 

He  had  witnessed  the  end  of  Amon  his  father, 
and  learned  a  lesson  from  his  fearful  death.  Do 
you  learn  a  lesson  from  the  end  of  wicked  people  ? 
Korah,  Dathan,  &c. ;  those  who  conspired  against 
Daniel,  Ananias,  &c. 

He  avoided  the  idolatrous  practices  of  the  age 
in  which  he  lived.  So  we  should  avoid  the  cus- 
toms of  wicked  men,  &c. 

II.  The  good  he  practised. 

"  Did  that  which  was  right  in  the  eyes  of  the 


YOUNG  JOSIAH.  79 


Lord,  and  walked  in  all  the  ways  of  David  his 
father." 

1.  He  repaired  the  temple. 

2.  Loved  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  God's  Word, 
ver.  10. 

3.  Acknowledged  himself  a  sinner. 

4.  Humbled  himself,  and  destroyed  idolatry. 

5.  Ilepented  before  God,  made  a  covenant  to 
walk  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  xxiii.  3. 

6.  Turned  to  the   Lord  with  all  his  soul  and 
might,  xxiii.  25. 

Application. 

1.  Is  there  a  young  Josiah  here  ? 

2.  Is  he  like  the  Scripture  Josiah? 

3.  If  not  in  name,  will  you  all  seek  to  be 

Josiahs    in    nature  ?     note   xxiii.   25, 
especially. 

Eccles.  xii.  1.  Jer.  iii.  4.  Prov.  viii.  17.  1  Kings  xiii.  2. 
2  Chron.  xxxiv.  31.  Daniel  vi.  to  the  end.  Deut.  vi.  13. 
Joshua  xxiv.  15. 

HYMN  306 :  Come,  youthful  sinners. 

HYMN  377 :  Happy  the  child  whose  youngest  years. 

HYMN  436 :  IIow  sweet  is  the  fragrance  of  flowers. 


80  OUR  PATTERN. 


XXIV. 

OUE  PATTERN. 

1  PETER  ii.  21. 

"  Leaving  us  an  example,  that  ye  should  follow  His  steps." 

I.  THE  pattern — Jesus  Christ. 

The  pattern  of  our  friend  and  brother,  whose 
name  is  wisdom  and  peace,  &c.  &c.,  a  perfect 
pattern. 

A  pattern  of  self-denial :  lived  in  a  cottage  or 
in  the  open  air. 

A  pattern  of  humility :  he  was  meek  and  lowly 
minded. 

A  pattern  of  love  :  he  loved  even  his  enemies. 

A  pattern  of  zeal :  note  some  remarkable  in- 
stances. 

A  pattern  of  integrity :  no  wealth  could  bribe 
him  from  piety. 

A  pattern  of  forgiveness :  "  Preach  my  gospel, 
beginning  at  Jerusalem." 

A  pattern  of  prayerfulness :  witness  Olivet, 
Gethsemane. 

A  pattern  of  watchfulness :  he  watched  as  well 
as  prayed. 

A  pattern  of  thankfulness:  sang  a  hymn  the 
night  of  betrayal. 


OUR  PATTERN.  81 


A  pattern  as  a  son :  he  was  obedient  to  his 
parents,  and  in  his  last  moments  was  mindful  of 
his  mother. 

A  pattern  as  a  friend  :  whom  he  loved  he  loved 
to  the  end. 

A  pattern  as  a  brother,  a  citizen. 

II.  The  copy — The  Christian  believer 
Some  copies  are  more  like  the  original  than 
others.  The  master  will  point  out  errors  and 
defects,  and  encourage  those  who  endeavour  to 
make  a  fair  copy.  So  God,  by  his  Spirit  to  the 
heart,  and  by  his  word  to  the  conscience,  in- 
structs us  in  divine  things.  How  encouraging  his 
example,  not  of  a  stranger,  we  should  not  know  a 
stranger's  voice  :  would  we  be  an  astronomer,  we 
would  read  Newton  :  a  philosopher,  Bacon :  a 
Christian,  whom  but  Christ  ? 

Application. 

1.  Whom  are  you  like  ? 

2.  Do  you  try  to  imitate  Jesus  ? 

3.  The  most  certain  way  is  to  let  his  mind 

be  in  you. 

4.  Pray  for  his  spirit. 

Heb.  v.  8.  John  viii.  12.  Rev.  xiv.  4.  John  x.  27.  Matt, 
viii.  19-22.  Isaiah  liii.  7.  John  xiii.  1.  Luke  xix.  41 ; 
xxiii.  34.  Matt.  xi.  29.  Luke  iv.  7,  8 ;  xxiv.  47.  Matt. 
xiv.  23.  John  xvii.  9-20.  Matt.  xxvi.  30.  John  xix.  26,  27. 

HYMN  32  :  My  dear  Redeemer  and  my  Lord. 
HYMN  201 :  Children  of  the  heavenly  King. 
HYMN  387 :  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord  and  Saviour. 


82  MARY   SEEKING   JESUS. 


XXV. 
MARY  SEEKING    JESUS. 

JOHN  xx.  16 

"Jesus  saith  unto  her,  Mary.     She  turned  herself,  and  saith 
unto  him,  Rabboni ;  which  is  to  say,  Master." 

INTRODUCTION,  sepulchre  of  Jesus,  grave  of 
Joseph  the  rich  man,  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ : 
subject,  Mary  seeking  Jesus. 

I.  The  time :  early  in  the  morning,  before  day- 
light, ver.  1;    she  could  not  sleep,  other  people 
were  dreaming,  she  hastened  to  the  sepulchre,  and 
talked  in  the  end  with  Jesus. 

II.  Her  feelings  :   she  sought  him  sorrowing, 
see  ver.  11;  her  Lord  was  gone,  she  thought  him 
stolen. 

III.  She   sought  him   humbly :    inquiring  of 
Peter  and  John  and  the  angels,   if  they  knew 
where  he  was. 

IV.  She  sought  him  earnestly;  for  she  ran  to 
obtain  help  in  her  search  for  Christ. 


MARY    SEEKING   JESUS.  83 


V.  Meets  with   Jesus — mistook   him   for  the 
gardener,  and  said,  "  If  thou  hast  borne  him  hence, 
tell  me  where  thou  hast  laid  him,  and  I  will  bear 
him  away." 

VI.  Jesus  spoke  to  her:   note,  only  one  word, 
as  when  the  Lord  called  Samuel,  "  Mary  \"  how 
sweet  so  to  be  called  by  the  Lord. 

VII.  Mary's  reply :  one  word,  "  Master  !"  how 
quickly  she   knew   his  voice,  how   humble,  how 
devoted  is  she !     Imagine  her  starting  toward  her 
Saviour,  so  filled  with  the  "  excess  of  joy"  as 
scarcely  to   know  what  she  said,  and   therefore 
just  as  she  felt,  saying,  "  Master  \" 

Application. 

1.  There  are  many  Marys  in  the   Sunday- 

school. 

2.  Have  any  of  you  sought  the  Lord  ?     If 

so,  like  Mary,  you  will  see  him  above. 

3.  When  you  felt  the  Lord  draw  you,  did 

you  quickly  answer,  "  Master!" 

Prov.  viii.  17.     See  Sketch  xviii.     Also  Sketch  xxx. 

HYMN  126  :  Come,  ye  disconsolate. 

HYMN  157  :  Father,  I  stretch  my  hands  to  thee. 

HYMN  173  :  Arise,  iny  soul,  arise. 


84  CHARACTER  OF  ABSALOM. 


XXVI. 
CHARACTER  OF  ABSALOM. 

2  SAMUEL  xiv. 
INTRODUCE — speak  of  David's  family. 

I.  Absalom's  personal  appearance* 

1.  He  was  the  most  beautiful  person  in  Israel : 
speak  of  height,  figure,  complexion,  deportment, 
&c. 

2.  Noted   for  his   beautiful   hair — it  was   cut 
once   a  year:    two   hundred   shekels,  about  six 
pounds  and  a  half  weight. 

II.  Absalom's  character. 

1.  Vain :   he  only  cut  his  hair  because  of  its 
weight,  and  not  for  decency's  sake  or  cleanliness. 

2.  Cruel :  murdered  Amnon. 

3.  Deceitful :  kissed  the  king  his  father,  made 
profession  of  love,  and  was  plotting  his  overthrow. 
Note  :  Judas  kissed  Jesus  and  betrayed  him. 

4.  Treacherous :  conspired  against  the  king. 

5.  Subtle  :  won  the  people's  hearts  craftily. 

6.  Unnatural :   fought  against  his  father,  and 
when  Ahithophel  would  have  pursued  and  killed 


CHARACTER  OF  ABSALOM.  85 

David,  he  said  naught  against  it,  as  David  did, 
when  the  people  would  have  killed  Absalom. 
7.  Cowardly:  ran  away,  &c. 

III.  Absalom's  end. 

His  head  caught  in  an  oak,  chap,  xviii.  9,  Joab 
found  him,  and  struck  three  arrows  into  him — put 
him  into  a  pit — buried  more  like  a  dog  than  a 
king's  son.  Messengers.  David's  lamentation. 

Application. 

1.  A  good  appearance  and  a  good  heart  are 

not  necessarily  combined. 

2.  Many  a  plain  person  is  very  good. 

3.  Virtue  is  true  beauty. 

4.  Seek  to  be  adorned  with  piety,  and  if  you 

must  wear  jewels,  obtain  the  pearl  of 
great  price. 

Prov.  xxxi.  30.  Isaiah  xxviii.  1,  5.  Ezek.  xxviii.  17. 
Psalm  cxlix.  4.  1  Sam.  xvi.  7,  12.  Matt,  xxiii.  27.  1  Cor. 
xL  14. 

HYMN  216  :  Lord,  if  thou  the  grace  impart. 
HYMN  233 :  Father,  I  know  that  all  my  life. 
HYMN  353  :  Lord>  I  hare  dared  to  disobey, 


CHARACTER   OP   TIMOTHY. 


xxvn. 

CHARACTER  OF   TIMOTHY. 
2  TIMOTHY  iii.  14,  15. 


"But  continue  thou  in  the  things  thou  hast  learned  and  hast 
been  assured  of,  knowing  of  whom  thou  hast  learned  them ; 

.  and  that  from  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
which  are  able  to  make  thoe  wise  unto  salvation  through 
faith  which  is  in  Jesus  Christ." 


I.  TIMOTHY'S  instructors. 

I.  His  venerable  grandmother,  Lois,  with  her 
kind  looks  and  words,  and  firm  trust  in  God. 
(2  Tim.  i.  5.) 

2  His  affectionate  mother,  Eunice,  with  her 
sunny  smiles,  and  winning  ways,  and  love  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

3.  Paul,  with  his  zeal,  and  faith  and  energy, 
and  love  for  souls  and  cause  of  Christ. 

4.  Chiefly  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  alone  can  teach 
savingly. 

II.  Timothy's  studies. 

1.  Not  genealogies,  (define,)  an.d  fables,  (define,) 
or  foolish  books,  which  take  up  time,  and  rather 
weaken  the  mind  than  strengthen  it. 

2.  Nor  vain  philosophy,  or  science  so  called. 

3.  But  chiefly  Holy  Scripture,  with  all  its  histo- 


CHARACTER   OP  TIMOTHY.  87 


ries,  and  prophecies,  and  doctrines,  and  precepts, 
and  promises,  &c. 

III.  The  effect  of  this  study. 

1.  He  knew  the  Holy  Scriptures,  that  is,  ex- 
perimentally. 

2.  In  his  youth,  and  so  was  prepared  for  future 
usefulness 

3.  He  became  an  evangelist,  he  grew  so  wise. 
Explain  Scripture  meaning  of  evangelist. 

4.  Above  all,  was  wise  unto  salvation. 

Application. 

1.  Are  any  of  you,  like  Timothy,  fond  of 

study?— Word  of  God. 

2.  Read  it  prayerfully,  believingly,  humbly. 

3.  Continue  in  the  things   you  learn,  i.  e. 

practise  them. 

4.  Be  willing  to  learn  of  any. 

2  Kings  xxii.  10.  Prov.  xxxi.  1.  Prov.  x.  1 ;  i.  8 ;  vi.  20. 
2  Pet.  i.  20.  Matt.  xxii.  29.  Luke  xxiv.  45.  John  v.  39. 
Acts  xvii.  2, 11.  Deut.  xvii.  18-20.  Josh.  viii.  34.  2  Chron. 
xxxiv.  30.  Acts  viii.  30. 

HYMN  330 :  0  that  I,  like  Timothy. 
HYMN  456 :  Captain  of  our  salvation,  take 
HYMN  534 :  When  quiet  in  my  house  I  sit. 


88  GIVING   THE   HEART   TO   GOD. 


XXVIII. 
IVINO  THE  HEART  TO  GOD. 

PROVERBS  xxiii.  26. 
"  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart." 

I.  WHAT  is  meant  by  heart  ? 

1.  Our  mind,  fountain   of    thought,  seat  of 
memory  and  judgment. 

2.  Our  soul,  all  its  affections  and  dispositions. 
The  heart  is  the  leading  principle  of  action  and 

character. 

II.  What  may  be  understood  by  giving  the 
heart  to  God  ? 

1.  Thinking  about  him,  remembering  his  good- 
ness, reflecting  on  his  mercy,  &c.  &c. 

2.  Loving  him,  serving  him,  believing  in  him, 
and  trusting  in  his  salvation. 

Note. — Though  we  are  asked  to  give  our  heart 
to  God,  it  is  not  our  own,  being  bought  with  a 
price. 

Note. — Though  God  asks  us  to  give  our  heart 
to  him,  it  is  not  that  we  may  benefit  him  by  the 
gift. 


GIVING  THE   HEART   TO   GOD-  89 


III.  Why,  in  asking  us  to  give  him  our  heart, 
he  says,  "  My  son." 

1.  To  remind  us  that  as  sons  we  should  be 
obedient  to  him. 

2.  To  remind  us  that  he  is  our  Father,  and 
therefore  desires  our  happiness. 

Note. — By  giving  our  heart  to  God  we  become 
happy  and  holy,  and  thus  prepared  for  life  or 
death.  In  proportion  as  we  give  ourselves  to  God 
he  imparts  himself  to  us. 

Application. 

1.  Do  you   ever  seriously  think  of  being 

religious  ? 

2.  Will  you  now  give  God  your  hearts  ? 

3.  Your  Father  in  heaven  asks  you :   can 

you  refuse  Him,  who  did  not  refuse  his 
Son  to  you  ? 

Deut.  vi.  5.  Prov.  xxiii.  15,  19.  Psalm  cxix.  2.  Matt, 
vi.  21.  Psalm  Ivii.  7.  Psalm  cxii.  7.  2  Chron.  xv.  12. 
Prov.  iii.  5.  Matt.  xxii.  37. 

HYMX  153 :  When  shall  thy  love  constrain? 

HYMN  154 :  And  can  I  yet  delay? 

HYMN  206 :  Come,  Saviour,  Jesus,  from  above. 


8* 


90  HOW   TO   PRAY. 


XXIX. 

HOW  TO  PKAY. 
MATTHEW  vii.  7. 

"Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you:  seek,  and  ye  shall  find: 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you." 

SUBJECT  :  encouragement  to  praying  children. 
Text  contains  three  directions,  and  three  pro- 
mises to  those  who  pray. 

1st  direction.  "  Ask"  in  humble  prayer,  with 
a  hopeful  heart,  with  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  in  the 
sincerity  of  your  heart,  in  the  poverty  of  your 
spirit,  in  confidence,  as  when  you  ask  a  parent 
for  a  necessary  thing. 

1st  promise.  "And  it  shall  be  given  you." — 
Perhaps  at  the  time,  or  at  a  time  more  suited, 
and  in  a  degree  that  infinite  love  and  wisdom 
shall  limit. 

2d  direction.  "  Seek"  in  the  depths  of  your 
soul :  inquire  diligently,  early  and  late ;  in  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  God ;  through  the  merits 
of  your  Redeemer. 

2d  promise.     "  Ye  shall  find."     Perhaps  at  a 


HOW   TO   PRAY.  91 


time,  and  in  a  manner  you  little  expect,  and  be- 
yond your  greatest  hopes ;  whether  to  a  great  or 
less  degree,  you  shall  find. 

3d  direction.  "  Knock"  loudly :  be  earnest  and 
importunate,  if  you  ask  for  a  thfng  you  feel  to  be 
in  harmony  with  the  word  and  will  of  God :  knock, 
repeat  again  and  again  your  request :  remember 
the  unjust  judge,  the  woman  of  Canaan,  and 
Elijah. 

3d  promise.  "  It  shall  be  opened  unto  you." 
How  amply  shall  your  prayers  be  answered :  how 
you  will  praise  God  for  answering  you  :  how  happy 
you  will  be  !  0  !  ask,  seek,  knock. 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  all  pray  ?  I  do  not  mean,  do  you 

all  say  prayers  ? 

2.  Is  there  a  boy  or  girl  here  who  does  not 

pray? 

3.  Imitate  Daniel,  Moses,  Elijah,  David,  and 

Jesus  Christ. 

Luke  xxii.  42.  1  Sam.  i.  10,  11.  Matt.  xv.  21-28 ;  xviii. 
19 ;  xxi.  22.  John  xiv.  14.  James  i.  6 ;  iv.  3.  1  John  v. 
14.  Psalm  Iv.  17.  Luke  xviii.  1-14.  James  v.  13. 

HYMN  150 :  Come,  my  soul,  thy  suit  prepare. 
HYMN  161 :  Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone. 
HYMN  354 :  Lord,  teach  me  how  to  pray. 


SEEKING   THE   LORD. 


XXX. 

SEEKING  THE  LORD. 
PSALM  xxvii.  8. 

"  When  thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  my  face,  my  heart  said  unto 
thee,  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek." 

I.  THE  request. 
"  Seek  ye  my  face." 

1.  The  face  of  God  means  here  the  love  and 
favour  of  God. 

2.  By  seeking  the  face  of  the  Lord,  is  meant 
doing  that  which  will  help  us  to  obtain  his  love 
and  favour ;  as  reading  his  word,  praying  to  him, 
singing  his   praises,  and  coming  to  his  house; 
trusting  in  his  Son,  and  living  in  the  exercise  of 
Christian  duties  and  religious   graces,  as   faith, 
hope,  love,  &c. 

Note. — The  time:  "When  thou  saidst,"  &c. 
God  has  many  times  told  you  to  be  good,  and 
love  him — he  tells  you  by  the  mouths  of  teachers, 
and  parents,  and  ministers — by  his  providence, 
his  Word,  and  his  Spirit. 

II.  The  reply. 

«  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek." 

1.  I  will  read,  and  pray,  and  sing  thy  praises, 


SEEKING   THE   LORD.  \)6 

and  be  watchful  and  obedient,  and  love  thy  Son, 
and  hope  in  thy  mercy,  and  try  to  be  good. 

2.  "  My  heart''  says  so.  This  is  not  the  mere 
word  of  my  lip,  but  the  language  of  my  heart. 
Note :  this  is  a  firm  resolution,  the  language  of 
conviction,  not  excitement.  Note  again :  "  My 
heart"  said  so,  "when  the  Lord  said,  Seek  ye,"  &c. 
I  did  not  wait,  but  at  once  turned  to  God  with 
full  purpose  of  heart. 

Application. 

1.  The  Lord  has  many  times  said  to  each  of 

you,  "  Seek  ye  my  face." 

2.  He  says  so  again  to-day. 

3.  Who  of  you  will  from  this  time  begin  to 

pray? 

1  Chron.  xxviii.  9.  1  Sam.  iii.  1-10.  2  Chron.  xix.  3 ; 
xxxi.  21;  xxxiv.  3.  Psalm  Ixiii.  1.  Isaiah  xlv.  19.  Cant, 
i.  4.  Psalm  cxix.  58 ;  cv.  4.  2  Chron.  vii.  14. 

HYMN  15 :  The  God  of  Abrah'm  praise. 

HYMN  149 :  0  that  the  Lord  would  guide  my  ways. 

HYMN  372 :  Soon  as  I  heard  my  Father  say. 


94  HOSANNA   TO   JESUS. 


XXXI. 

HOSANNA  TO  JESUS. 
MATTHEW  xxi.  15,  16. 

"  And  when  the  chief  priests  and  scribes  saw  the  wonderful 
things  that  he  did,  and  the  children  crying  in  the  temple, 
and  saying,  Ilosanna  to  the  Son  of  David,  they  were  sore 
displeased,  and  said  unto  him,  Hearest  thou  what  these 
say  ?  And  Jesus  saith  unto  them,  Yea,  have  ye  never 
read,  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  thou  hast 
perfected  praise  ?" 

I.  THE  children. 

1.  They  were  in  the  temple.     Samuel  was  fond 
of  the  temple,  and  doubtless  Timothy  often  heard 
the  Scriptures  read  there.     All  good  children  are 
fond  of  the  house  of  God,  and  often  sing — "  I 
have  been  there,  and  still  would  go,"  &c. 

2.  They  were  singing.    Good  children  are  happy 
and  cheerful,  and  love  to  sing  the  praises  of  Jesus 
— "  Hosanna,  save  now,  I  beseech  thee,  0  Lord," 
— often  used  in  temple  service. 

II.  The  chief  priests  and  scribes. 

1.  They  saw,  and  heard,  and  were  sore  dis- 
pleased. They  were  not  a  little  vexed — they 
envied  the  children  their  happy  feelings,  and 
Jesus  the  praise  he  received,  which  they  knew  ho 
deserved. 


HOSANNA   TO   JESUS.  95' 

2.  They  asked  Jesus  if  he  heard;  perhaps  they 
thought  he  would  bid  the  little  ones  be  still. 

III.  Jesus  Christ  replied  to  them  out  of  the 
Bible. 

1.  God  ordained  that  children  should  praise  his 
Son. 

2.  Jesus  was  pleased  because  his  Father's  will 
was  done,  and   he  loved  to  look  at  their  little 
cherub  faces,  and  listen  as  to  a  choir  of  young 
angels.     0  !   dear   children,  Jesus  loves  to  hear 
you  sing. 

Application. 

1.  Are  you  fond  of  the  house  of  G-od  ? 

2.  Do  you  try  to  sing  there  ? 

8.  And  do  you  sing  with  the  heart,  as  well  as 
voice  ? 

•9 

Meaning  of  word  Hosanna  in  text— Lord  preserve  the  Son 
of  David — see  Cruden.  John  xii.  13.  Mark  xi.  9,  10, 
Psalm  viii.  2. 

HYMN  392 :  Thee,  Jesus,  the  Son. 
HYMN  397 :  When  Jesus  into  Salem  rode. 
HYMN  401 :  When,  his  salvation  bringing, 


96          SOMETHING  TO  THINK  ABOUT. 


XXXII. 
SOMETHING  TO  THINK  ABOUT. 

1  SAMUEL  xii.  24. 

"  Only  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  him  In  truth  with  all  your 
heart;  for  consider  how  great  things  he  hath  done  for 
you." 

I.  SOMETHING  to  think  about. 

"  The  great  things  he  hath  done  for  us." 

1.  Given  us  an  existence  in  a  Christian  land. 
Illustrate — state  of  heathen  children . 

2.  Given  us  temporal   mercies   in   abundance. 
Illustrate — food,  clothes,  health,  friends,  education, 
&c.  &c. 

8.  Given  us  his  word,  which  is  able  to  make  us 
wise  unto  salvation. 

4.  Given  us  his  Son,  who  lived  to  teach  us,  and 
died  to  save  us. 

5.  Given   us  the  blessings  of  salvation— joy, 
hope,  peace,  &c. 

These  are  great  things.     We  should  gratefully 
consider  them, 


SOMETHING  TO  THINK  ABOUT  97 

II.  Something  to  do. 

1.  Fear  the  Lord ;  with  the  fear  of  a  child  who 
loves  his  parent  too  well  to  offend  him — who  fears 
to  lose  his  love. 

2.  Serve  him  in  truth :  not  only  seem  to  serve 
him,  but  in  sincerity  and  truth — be  engaged  in 
God's  service.     You  may  serve  him  by  keeping 
his  words;  and  thus,  by  setting  a  good  example 
to  others,  win  them  over  to  virtue.     You  may 
serve  him  by  inducing  other  children  to  attend 
Sabbath-school,  &c.     You  may  serve  him  by  loving 
your  parents,  as  he  has  commanded. 

3.  With  all  your  heart.     "When  you  play,  you 
play  with  all  your  heart ;  so,  when  you  serve  God, 
you  must  do  so  with  all  your  heart — he  doesn't 
like  half-hearted  service. 

Application. 

1.  Some  of  you  are  trying  to  serve  the  Lord 

— "  go  on." 

2.  Some  only  seem  to  serve  God,  or  with  only 

half  a  heart — be  sincere  and  earnest. 

3.  Let  us  all  show  our  gratitude  for  the  great 

things  done  for  us,  by  giving  ourselves 
more  fully  to  the  Lord. 

Job  i.  8.  Psalm  cxxviii.  1.  Acts  x.  22.  Col.  iii.  22. 
Psalm  xl.  3;  cvii.  1-9,  Ac.;  Ixxi.  19;  1.  22.  Job  xxxvii. 
14.  Deut.  viii.  2,  Ac. 

HYMN  123  :  Sinners,  turn,  why  will  ye  die  ? 
HYMN  183  :  Come,  thou  Fount  of  every  blessing. 
HYMN  338 :  Great  God,  to  thee  my  voice  I  raise. 


98  TAKING  BASE   ADVANTAGE. 


XXXIII. 

TAKING  BASE  ADVANTAGE. 

1  SAMUEL  xxiv.  10. 

SUBJECT  :    David  and   Saul,  at  the   cave   of 
Engedi. 

I.  Saul  persecuting  David. 

1.  Saul  is  envious  of  David  because  he  killed 
the  giant,  and  won  the  praise  of  the  people. 

2.  The  people  told  Saul'  that  David  wished  to 
kill  him. 

3.  Saul   pursues   David  with   three   thousand 
chosen  men. 

4.  David  hides  in  the  cave. 

II.  David  spares  Saul. 

1.  Saul   enters   the   cave   in  which  David   is 
concealed,  to  cover  his  feet,  and  probably  falls 
asleep. 

2.  Now,  said  the  men  to  David,  here  is  a  good 
chance  of  killing  Saul. 

3.  David  arose— -to  kill  ?  he  has  a  sword  in  his 
hand — what  is  it  for?     See,  he  cuts  off — what? 
— Saul's  head,  as  he  did  the  giant's? — No — a 
piece  of  his  robe. 


TAKING   BASE  ADVANTAGE.  99 


4.  David  would  not  even  let  his  men  kill  Saul, 
ver.  7. 

III.  Reconciliation. 

1.  Saul,  refreshed  by  sleep,  went  his  way,  fol- 
lowed by  David.     Saul  hears  David — looks  behind 
— David  bows  to  the  ground. 

2.  Saul  now  had  David  in  his  hands — saw  the 
robe,  and  wept. 

8.  Saul  is  convinced  he  has  not  heard  the  truth 
of  David — acknowledges  David's  righteousness, 
and  is  reconciled. 

Application. 

1.  Who  of  you  are  seeking,  like  Saul,  to  do 

another  harm  ? 

2.  Who  of  you  will  be  like  David  ? 

3.  Learn  not  to  take  advantage.     Why,  if 

Jesus  had  pleased,  he  could  easily  have 
killed  all  his  enemies.  Learn  to  bear 
and  forbear. 

Deut.  xxxii.  35.  Heb.  x.  30.  Psalm  cxliv.  1.  Horn.  xii. 
19.  Exod.  xxiii.  4.  Prov.  xxiv.  17, •  xxv.  21.  1  Kings  iii. 
11.  Matt  v.  44.  Prov.  xvi.  7. 

HYMN  35  :  Behold  the  Saviour  of  mankind. 
HYMN  223 :  A  charge  to  keep  I  have. 
HYMN  364 :  Lover  of  little  children,  thee. 


100  THE   PATH   OF   LIFE. 


XXXIV. 

THE   PATH  OF  LIFE. 
PSALM  cxix.  9. 

"Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way?    By 
taking  heed  thereto,  according  to  thy  word." 

I.  THE  inquiry. 

"  Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his 
way  ?" 

1.  Way,  path  of  life,  character,  name.     Psalm 
xvi.  11. 

2.  Cleanse  his  way,  i.  e.  purify  his  character, 
and  keep  his  garments  unspotted  from  the  world. 

Note  (1.) — The  inquiry  was  directed  to  the 
proper  being — to  God. 

Note  (2.) — It  was  the  language  of  humility: 
it  arose  from  a  consciousness  of  the  native  im- 
purity of  the  heart,  and  its  great  deceitfulness. 

Note  (3.) — The  inquirer  was  young.  Jesus 
loved  the  young  man  who  came  seeking  him. 
Youth  is  the  proper  time  to  seek  the  Lord. 

II.  The  reply. 

"By  taking  heed  thereto,  according  to  thy 
word." 


THE  PATH   OP   LIFE.  101 


1.  By   referring    our    actions,   thoughts,  and 
words,  to  the  standard  of  truth. 

2.  By  making  the  Bible  the  rule  of  faith  and 
action. 

3.  By  obeying  the  sacred  law,  imitating  sacred 
example,  and  studying  sacred  doctrines  and  truths. 

4.  By  avoiding  all  the  Bible  condemns,  and 
performing  all  it  exacts. 

5.  By  taking  the  word  of  God  to  be  our  heri- 
tage for  ever,  and  considering  it  as  a  light  to  our 
feet,  &c. 

Application. 

1.  Have  you  ever  discovered   the  error  of 

your  ways  ? 

2.  Do  you  desire  your  life  may  be  holy  ? 

3.  The  word  of  God  is  the  only  sure  guide. 

Psalm  xix.  cxix.  Jer.  xxxii.  39;  xlii.  3.  Prov.  ii.  8. 
Psalm  i.  6.  Isaiah  xxvi.  7.  Prov.  iii.  17.  Psalm  xxv.  9, 10. 
Prov.  xii.  28  :  ii.  9  j  iv.  18,  26.  Matt  vii.  13.  John  xiy.  6. 

HYMN  327 :  I  love  the  volumes  of  thy  word. 

HYMX  329 :  How  shall  the  young  secure  their  hearts. 

HYMN  334 :  Great  God,  with  wonder  and  with  praise. 


102  THE   GOOD   MAN 


XXXV. 

THE  GOOD  MAN  GUARDED  FROM 
DANGER. 

2  KINGS  vi.  16. 

"Alas!  my  master,  how  shall  we  do?    Fear  not:  for  they 
that  be  with  us  are  more  than  they  that  be  with  them." 

INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  the  history  of  the 
prophet. 

I.  The  good  man's  danger. 

II.  The  good  man's  confidence. 

I.  The  good  man's  danger. 

King  of  Syria  intends  to  invade  Israel — plans 
his  encampment — all  his  plans  known  through 
Elisha  to  king  of  Israel,  who,  of  course,  altered 
his  schemes  accordingly.  King  of  Syria  wonders 
how  his  plans  are  known — thinks  there  are  traitors 
in  the  camp.  They  tell  him  that  only  Elisha  is  for 
Israel,  and  that  he  lives  in  Dothan.  The  king 
sees  that  before  he  can  subdue  Israel,  he  must 
capture  the  prophet.  He  commences  the  siege  of 
Dothan,  arriving  in  the  night.  Gehazi,  in  the 
morning,  from  the  walls,  discovers  a  great  host  of 


GUARDED   FROM   DANGER.  103 


men  and  chariots,  and   in  great  fear  cries  out; 
«  Alas  1"  &c. 

II.  The  good  man's  confidence. 
«  Fear  not,"  &c. 

1.  The  enemy  consisted  of  mighty  chariots  and 
horses,  and  a  great  host :  all  encamped  against  the 
city,  and  these  against  a  single  man. 

2.  They  that  be  with  us  are  more  than  those 
against  us,  both  in  number  and  power.     Gehazi 
could  not  see,  and  therefore  would  not  believe, 
"Blessed  are  they  who  have  not  seen,  and  yet 
have  believed."     Gehazi's  eyes  are  opened,  and 
he  saw  horses  and  chariots  of  fire  on  the  mount 
around  Elisha. 

Application. 

1.  Learn   the   safety   of    God's   children — 

"  Who  is  he  that  shall  harm  you/'  &c. 

2.  "  The  angels  of  the  Lord  encamp  about 

those  that  fear  him." 

3.  The    mount   of    prayer    the   Christian's 

citadel. 

Isa.  Ixiii.  9.  Dan.  iii.  24,  25;  vi.  22.  Luke  xxii.  43. 
.Acts  xii.  11.  Psalm  xxxiv.  7;  Ixviii.  17.  Matt.  xxvi.  53. 
Psalm  cxix.  117.  Deut.  xxxiii.  12,  27.  Psalm  iv.  8 ;  xx.  7. 
Prov.  xxix.  25. 

HYMN  5  :  How  glorious  is  our  heavenly  King  ! 
HYMN  53 :  Beyond  the  glittering,  starry  skies. 
HYMN  194 :  Come,  ye  that  love  the  Lord. 


104  OUR  IGNORANCE   OF   SELF. 


XXXVI. 

OUE  IGNORANCE  OF  SELF. 
2  KINGS  viii.  13. 

"  Is  thy  servant  a  dog,  that  ho  should  do  this  great  thing  ?" 

INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  Scripture  narrative. 
Benhadad  the  king  is  sick,  and  sends  Hazael  (who 
was  probably  the  succeeding  general  in  Syria  to 
Naaman)  to  Elisha  to  inquire  if  he  should  re- 
cover. Elisha,  on  looking  hard  at  Hazael,  burst 
into  tears;  and,  as  a  reason,  tells  the  messenger 
what  dreadful  crimes  shall  stain  his  future  life — 
the  text.* 

Learn  I.  Our  ignorance  of  the  future. 

1.  All  those  wicked  men  and  women  who  have 
been  thieves  and  murderers  were  once  bright-eyed 
boys  and  girls,  and  would  have  shuddered  had  a 
holy  prophet  told  them  how  wicked  they  would 
be ;  and  perhaps  they  would  have  been  as  angry  as 
Hazael  was,  when  Elisha  referred  to  his  future 
life. 

2.  Hazael,  very  shortly  after  the  prophet  had 
warned  him,  committed  murder.    Had  he  believed 
it  possible  that  he  might  become  guilty  of  such 
crimes,  and  sought  purity  of  heart,  his  future  life 
had  not  been  so  wicked. 

*  A  different  construction  is  given  to  this  passage  by  many 
commentators— see  Dr.  A.  Clarke.  Harmer  suggests  that 
the  "  thick  cloth"  -which  Hazael  dipt  in  water  and  spread 
over  Benhadad's  face  was  a  "  gnat-pavilion"  or  musquito-net, 
,  and  was  thus  applied  under  pretext  of  cooling  the  king. 
See  Observation  201,  vol.  iv.  411,  London  ed.  1787. — [Eo. 


OUR   IGNORANCE   OF   SELF.  105 


3.  We  know  nothing  of  our  future  life ;  but  we 
know  that  if  we  commit  our  way  unto  the  Lord, 
he  will  direct  our  paths,  and  then  all  will  be  well. 

Learn  II.  To  seek  the  grace  of  God  now,  that 
our  lives  may  be  virtuous. 

1.  Then,  poor  or  rich,  at  home  or  abroad,  all 
will  be  well.     The  converted  poor  will  remain 
honest,  and  the  pious  rich  will  not  be  oppressive 
or  miserly. 

2.  Do  not  imagine  that  because  you  now  feel  a 
hatred  toward  sin,  you  will  always  feel  so.     Unless 
you  devote  yourselves  to  God,  Satan  will  blind 
your  eyes  and  harden  your  hearts,  and  sin  will  be 
committed  without  a  pang  of  sorrow.     The  man 
who  swears  and  gets  intoxicated  was  not  always 
a  drunkard  and  a  swearer. 

3.  The  grace  of  God  is  the  best  preservative 
against   crime.      Education   is   good,  but   many 
learned  people  are  vicious :  ergo,  education  is  not 
sufficient,  we  must  be  converted.     "  Create  in  me 
a  clean  heart,  0  God,"  &c. 

Application. 

1.  "The  heart  is  deceitful,"  &c. 

2.  By  correcting  the  heart,  the  life  is  changed. 

3.  Will  you  dedicate  yourselves  to  God  ? 

Luke  xxii.  61 ;  Peter  denied  his  Lord  after  assuring  him 
of  fidelity.     Eph.  iv.  18.     Luke  ix.  55. 

HYMN  127 :  Sin  has  a  thousand  treacherous  arts. 

HYMN  344 :  0  'tis  a  folly  and  a  crime. 

UYMN  377 :  Happy  the  child  whose  youngest  years. 


106  CHARACTER   OF  MANASSEH. 


XXXVII. 

CHARACTER  OF  MANASSEH. 
2  CHRONICLES  xxxiii.  1-19. 

INTRODUCE  by  referring  to  the  history  of  Judah 
and  Israel. 

I.  Manasseh's  wickedness. 
Note  his  age :  twelve  years  when  he  began  to 
reign — he  reigned  fifty-five  years. 

1.  He  planted  groves  in  honour  of  idols,  re- 
established the  worship  of  Baal :  worshipped  sun, 
moon,  and  stars,  and  reared  to  them  altars  in  the 
courts  of  the  temple  :  set  up  an  idol  in  the  temple 
itself,  and  burnt  one  of  his  sons  in  a  sacrifice  to 
Moloch,  and  practised  sorcery  and  witchcraft. 

2.  The  Lord  reproved  him  for  his  sins,  but 
neither  he  nor  his  people  would  hearken.     They 
would  not  turn. 

II.  Manasseh's  repentance. 

1.  Caused  by  the  afflictions  which  overwhelmed 
him   in   consequence  of  his  wickedness.      Note, 
God  frequently  punishes  sinners  in  this  life. 

2.  His  repentance  was  genuine,  not  a  mere  ex- 


CHARACTER  OP   MANASSEH.  107 


pression  of  sorrow;  but,  like  all  genuine  repent- 
ance, was  characterized  by  humility  and  prayer, 
and  followed  by  a  reformed  life. 

III.  Manasseh's  end. 

1.  The  Lord  heard  his  prayer,  and  brought  him 
out  of  captivity  to  Jerusalem  again. 

2.  He  knew  the  Lord,  he  had  long  lived  far 
from  God,  but  now  by  prayer  sought  and  found 
the  Lord — and, 

3.  By  and  by  died,  and  was  buried  with  his 
fathers. 

Application. 

1.  Have  we  wickedly  sinned  against  God  ? 

2.  Have  we  ever  repented  and  sought  mercy  ? 

3.  Be  encouraged  by  Manasseh's  finding  the 

Lord. 

Horn.  ii.  4.  2  Cor.  vii.  9,  10.  2  Pet,  iii.  9.  Acts  xxvi. 
20 ;  iii.  19.  Matt.  ix.  13.  Psalm  xxxiv.  4.  1  Cor.  vi.  11. 
1  John  i.  9. 

HYMN  137 :  Show  pity,  Lord,  0  Lord,  forgive. 
HYMN  140 :  Fast  flow,  my  tears :  the  cause  is  great. 
HYMN  172 :  Hail !  my  ever-blessed  Jesus. 


108  OUR  BEST   TEACHER, 


XXXVHL 

OUE  BEST  TEACHEK 
ISAIAH  liv.  13. 

"  All  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  great 
shall  bo  the  peace  of  thy  children." 

I.  THE  Teacher. 

"  The  Lord."     God  the  Holy  Ghost,  through 
the  word,  &c. 

1.  Consider  his  wisdom. 

2.  Consider  his  love. 

3.  Consider  his  patience. 

4.  Consider  his  perseverance. 

II.  The  pupils. 
"  Thy  children." 

1.  They  must  be  humble, 

2.  They  must  be  attentive, 

3.  They  must  be  prayerfuL 

4.  They  must  practise  what  they  learn. 

III.  The  result  of  the  lessons  taught, 
**  Great  shall  be  their  peace," 


OUR,   BEST   TEACHER.  109 


1.  They  shall  have  peace,  peace  of  mind,  with 
God,  in  life  all  its  trials,  &c.  in  death,  day  of 
judgment,  for  ever. 

2.  Great  peace  :  God  giveth  to  all  men  liberally, 
not  as  the  world  giveth,  &c. 

Application. 

1.  Are  you  taught  of  God  ?  &c. 

2.  Other  teachers  cannot  save. 

3.  You  may  know  this  teaching  by  the  peace 

you  have. 

Neh.  ix.  20.  Psalm  xxxii.  8.  Isaiah  xxviii.  26.  Pror. 
i.  1 ;  viii.  10,  33.  2  Tim.  iii.  16.  Deut  iv.  36.  Psalm  Ixxi. 
17;  cxix.  165.  John  vi.  45;  vii.  17.  See  Cruden  on  the 
word  instruction, 

HYMN  65  :  Our  blest  Redeemer,  ere  he  breathed. 
HYMN  68  :  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  our  hearts  inspire. 
HYMN  71 :  Celestial  Dove. 


10 


110  CHILDREN    BELONG   TO   GOD. 


XXXIX. 

CHILDREN  BELONG  TO  GOD. 

PSALM  cxxvii.  3. 
"  Lo !  children  are  a  heritage  of  the  Lord." 

I.  MEANING  of  heritage. 

1.  Something  we  look  forward  to  possessing  on 
the  death  of  another. 

2.  Something  which  by  hard  labour  we  have 
earned. 

3.  Something  which  is  ours  by  purchase;  as 
houses,  lands,  &c.       » 

Note  1.  The  psalmist  took  God's  word  to  be  his 
heritage  for  ever. 

Note  2.  The  good  man  is  looking  forward  to 
the  promised  land  as  his  great  inheritance. 

,     II.  In  what  sense  arc  children  the  heritage  of 
the  Lord  ? 

1.  You  are   the  Lord's   heritage  because  he 
created  you. 

2.  Because  the  Lord  has  constantly  provided 
for  you. 

3.  Because  Jesus  Christ  has  died  to  redeem  you 
from  sin,  death,  and  hell.* 

*  The  text  probably  means,  "As  an  inheritance  is  the  gift 
of  God,  so  are  children." — Editor. 


CHILDREN   BELONG   TO   GOD.  Ill 


III.  Learn  a  few  lessons  from  the  fact  stated. 

1.  To  devote  our  lives  to  God. 

2.  To  study  the  will  of  God. 

3.  To  be  submissive  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord. 

4.  Note  the  pains  God  takes  with  you,  and  hia 
continual  kindness,  in  providing  you  friends,  &c., 
and  education,  &c. 

Application.^ 

1.  Did  you  ever  feel  that  you  belonged  to 

God? 

2.  May  you  all  go  to  heaven,  and  be  the 

Lord's  heritage  for  ever. 

1  Cor.  vi.  20 ;    vii.  23.     Isaiah  xliii.  1.     Deut.  xxxii.  9. 
Ezekiel  xviii.  4.    John  xvii.  10.     Psalm  c.  3.     Mai.  iii.  17. 

HYMN  87 :  How  large  the  promise,  how  divine ! 
HYMN  97 :  0  happy  day,  that  fixed  iny  choice. 
HTMN  309 :  The  gods  that  gave  us  not  our  birth. 


112  RELIGION   NOT   HEREDITARY. 


XL. 

RELIGION  NOT  HEREDITARY. 
1  SAMUEL  ii.  12. 

".Now  the  sons  of  Eli  were  sons  of  Belial,  they  knew  not 
the  Lord." 

I.  CHARACTER  of  Eli. 

1.  Office :  priest,  successor  of  Eleazar,  teacher 
of  Samuel. 

2.  Character:    good  man,  chief  infirmity  not 
ruling  well  his  own  house. 

II.  Character  of  Eli's  sons. 

1.  Office  of  priest  hereditary,  but  not  the  re- 
ligion of  Eli. 

2.  Hophni  and  Phinehas,  sons  of^elial — repro- 
bates, servants  of  Satan,  did  not  love  and  serve 
God  or  study  his  word. 

III.  Inferences. 

1.  Children  are  not  certainly  good  because  their 
parents  are — religion  not  hereditary. 

2.  Children  will  not  certainly  be  saved  because 
their  parents  go  to  heaven. 

3.  Many  pious  parents  have  wicked  children : 


RELIGION   NOT    HEREDITARY. 


113 


how  great  must  be  their  grief  when  they  reflect 
on  their  children's  wickedness. 

4.  Reflect  on  the  judgment  of  God  on  the  sons 
of  Eli. 

Application. 

1.  Have  you  pious  parents  ?     What  a  bless- 

ing— what  obligations  are  involved  ! 

2.  Do  you  cause  them  trouble  by  your  im- 

piety ?     If  so,  you  may  expect  the  curse 
of  God. 


Absalom  was  the  son  of  good  King  David, 
the  son  of  Jehoshaphat.     Matt.  iii.  9. 


Jehoram  was 


HYMN  145 :  Shall  I,  amid  a  ghastly  hand. 
HYMN  277  :  How  dreadful,  Lord,  will  be  the  day. 
HYMN  337 :  Lord,  I  ascribe  it  to  thy  grace. 


10* 


1H 


RELIGIOUS   EDUCATION. 


XLI. 

RELIGIOUS  EDUCATION. 
PROVERBS  xxii.  6. 

"Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is 
old  he  will  not  depart  from  it." 

I.  THE  way. 

1.  The  way  of  holiness :  distinguished  by  prayer 
and  praise,  love  for  the  Bible,  devotedness  to  God, 
trust  in  Christ,  &c.  &c. 

2.  The  way  of  wisdom :  distinguished  by  love 
of  books  and  general  knowledge,  application  to 
study,  reflection,  observation,  &c.  &c. 

3.  The  way  of   duty:    distinguished   by  the 
practice   of    such   conduct   as  is   the   result   of 
holiness  and  wisdom,  obedience  to  parents  and 
teachers,  faithfulness  to  employers,., and  love  of 
relatives,  &c.  &c. 

II.  The  training  of  mind  and  heart  and  con- 
duct. 

1.  By  example :  Samuel,  Solomon,  and  Timo- 
thy, taught  thus. 

2.  By  discipline:  1  Tim.  iii.  5;  Prov.  iii.  12. 

3.  By  instruction  :  Isaiah  xxxviii.  19. 

4.  By  prayer  not  merely  for,  but  with  the  child. 


RELIGIOUS   EDUCATION.  115 

III.    The   encouragement,   "  He  will   not  de- 
part/' &c. 

1.  God  says  so.     This  is  most  reasonable,  for 
consider — 

2.  The  influence  of  early  habits  on  future  life, 
and — 

3.  Remember  the  many  instances  of  success. 
Note.  How  happy  are  those  who  can  look  on  a 

youth  carefully  trained. 

Application. 

1.  To  children:   how  thankful  should  you 

be  for  an  existence  in  a  land  of  schools, 
&c.  &c. 

2.  To  teachers  and  parents :  mark  well  the 

whole  subject. 

Prov.  iv.  1.    John  xxi.  15.     Eli  and  his  sons  an  example 
of  the  neglect  of  this  precept.     2  Tim.  iii.  14-16. 

HYMN  455 :  Come,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 
HYMN  483 :  How  serious  is  the  charge. 
HYMN  484 :  Mercy,  descending  from  above. 


116  THE  ROYAL  ROAD 


XLH. 

THE  ROYAL  ROAD  TO  HAPPINESS. 
PSALM  xc.  14. 

"  0 !  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy,  that  we  may  rejoice 
and  be  glad  all  our  days." 

I.  A  UNIVERSAL  desire. 
That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 
Every  ope  wishes  to  be  happy — "rejoice  and  be 
glad  all  our  days." 

1.  Some   rejoice   when  their  corn   and   wine 
increase. 

2.  Some  rejoice  and  are  glad  when  their  fame 
or  honour  is  on  the  increase. 

3.  The  miser  rejoices  over  his  gold,  and  the 
philosopher  over  his  wisdom,  and  the  young  over 
their  strength,  agility,  or  beauty,  &c.  &c. 

Note  1.  These,  if  they  keep  their  gold,  and 
property,  and  beauty,  and  worldly  wisdom,  can 
only  rejoice  and  be  glad  through  the  days  of  this 
mortal  life. 

Note  2.  "All  our  days"  include  the  years  of 
eternity. 

Note  3.  Those  who  trust  in  earthly  things  to 
make  them  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  their  days,  will  be 


TO    HAPPINESS.  «          117 


miserably  disappointed  when  a  very  few  of  them 
are  passed  away. 

II.  How  to  obtain  this  desire. 

Early  in  life  to  obtain  the  mercy  of  God. 

1.  As  sinners  we  all  need  mercy,  (explain.) 

2.  This  mercy  will  satisfy  us — removing  fear, 
implanting  peace. 

3.  Mercy  in  early  life  is  like  the  sun  shining 
bright  in  the  morning,  it  gives  the  promise  of  a 
pleasant   day :    note,  piety  in  youth  blesses   the 
whole  life  : — mercy  must  be  sought  for  by  prayer, 
earnest,    "  0 !    satisfy,"    &c.     Illustrate,  by   in- 
stances of  the  happiness  of  early  piety. 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  wish  to  rejoice  and  be  glad  all 

your  days  ? 

2.  How  are  you  seeking  happiness  ? 

3.  Only  the  mercy  of  God  can  satisfy :  i.  e. 

give  full  and  complete  satisfaction  to  the 
mind — there  is  an  aching  void  till 
mercy  is  obtained. 

Neh.  ix.  17.  Psalm  Ixxxvi.  5.  See  Sketch,  No.  23.  Psalm 
xxii.  26  ;  xxxvi.  8.  Eccles.  i.  8  ;  iv.  8;  v.  10.  Jer.  ii.  12, 13  ; 
xxxi.  14.  Psalm  xxiii.  6  ;  c.  5 ;  cvii.  9.  John  iv.  13, 14. 

HYMN  184  :  Thou  hidden  love  of  God,  whose  height. 
HYMN  189  :  Object  of  my  first  desire. 
HYMN  196 :  My  God,  the  spring  of  all  my  joys. 
HYMN  379 :  Happy,  beyond  description,  he. 


118          *  MISSIONS. 


XLIIL 

MISSIONS. 

MATTHEW  xiii.  38. 

"  The  field  is  the  world." 

WE  wish  to  interest  you  all   in  the  cause  of 
missions  to  the  heathen  :  to  do  so  we  will — 

I.  Consider  the  greatness  of  the  work. 

1.  To    preach   the   gospel   to  every   creature. 
Note,  there  are  nearly  1,000,000,000  of  human 
beings  in  the  world,  speaking  different  languages, 
living  in  countries  distant  and  different  from  each 
other,  and  having  manners  and  customs  peculiar 
to   themselves :   of    these  600,000,000    are    Pa- 
gans,   150,000,000    Mohammedans    and    Jews, 
200,000,000  Papists,  Greeks,  and  other   corrupt 
Christians,    leaving    only    50,000,000    nominal 
Protestants ! 

2.  To  lead  the  souls  of  the  lost  to  a  Saviour. 

II.  Consider  the  means  of  promoting  this  work. 

1.  Missionaries  :  who  must  be  men  of  wisdom, 

patience,  perseverance,  self-denial,  courage,  faith, 


MISSIONS.  119 


zeal,  &c. ;  first  missionary  Jesus  Christ,  think  of 
his  journey,  &c. 

2.  The  Bible   translated  into  all  languages — 
Bible  Society. 

3.  The  prayers  of  good  people. 

4.  Pecuniary  contributions. 

III.  Consider  some  of  the  results  of  this  great 
work. 

1.  Souls  are  saved,  the  heathen  forsake  their 
idols  and  turn  to  God. 

2.  The   ignorant    are    instructed,   schools   are 
established. 

8.  Savage  nations  are  civilized,  allude  to  New 
Zealand,  Fejee,  Negroes  on  plantations,  &c. 

4.  Think  of  the  eternal  results  when  the  con- 
verted of  all  countries  shall  assemble  in  heaven 
and  speak  one  language,  that  of  heaven  and  love, 
and  sing  one  song — the  new  song,  &c. 

Application. 

1.  Will  you  collect  or  give  to  this  cause? 

2.  Will  you  pray  for  this  cause  ? 

Daniel  vii.  14.  Luke  ii.  10.  Psalm  Ixvii.  3.  Luke  iv.  18. 
Gal.  i.  16.  1  Tim.  ii.  4;  iii.  16.  Mark  xiii.  10.  Matt.  iv.  23. 
Mark  xiv.  9;  xvi.  15.  Rev.  xiv.  6.  Matt  xxviii.  19,  20. 

HYMN  409  :  What  is  the  world  ?  A  wildering  maze. 

HYMN  416:  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains. 

HYMN  417 :  The  call  to  China  !  Hear. 

HYMN  430  :  Hark!  the  song  of  jubilee. 


120  ENCOURAGEMENT   TO 


XLIV. 

ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  THOSE  WHO 
SEEK   THE  LORD. 

MATTHEW  xxviii.  5. 

"Fear  act  ye;   for  I  know  that  ye  seek  Jesus,  who  was 
crucified." 

I.  WHO  are  seeking  Jesus  ? 

1.  Those  who  feel  they  are  sinners,  and  believe 
that  only  Jesus  Christ  can  save  them. 

2.  Those  who  trust  in  the  atonement  of  Christ 
for  acceptance  with  God. 

3.  Those  who  study  the  mind  and  will  of  the 
Saviour,  and  seek  to  please  him. 

4.  Those  who  are  earnest  and  prayerful  in  their 
deportment. 

5.  Those  who  attend  to  religion  as  to  a  thing 
of  first  importance. 

II.  Your  encouragement — "  fear  not." 

1.  Some   fear   they  are   too  wicked,  allude  to 
Manasseh,  Saul,  &c. 

2.  Some   think    Jesus    is    unwilling   to   save 
them,  "  Come  unto  me  ALL,"  &c. 

3.  Some  think  they  are  too  young — they  were 
infants  Jesus  invited  to  him. 


THOSE   WHO    SEEK   THE   LORD.  121 

III.  How  we  know  a  seeker  of  the  Lord. 

1.  By  his  regular  and  constant  attendance  on 
the  means  of  grace. 

2.  By  his  love  for  his  Bible  and  earnest  prayers. 

3.  By   his    anxiety  in   reference   to  religious 
matters. 

4.  By  his  inquiries,  "  Men  and  brethren,  what 
shall  we  do  ?"  &c. 

Application. 

1.  I  know  that   some  of  you  are   seeking 

Jesus. 

2.  Fear  not,  if  you  feel  you  are  sinners,  Jesus 

will    receive  you,  they  that   seek  shall 
find. 

8.  We    shall   all  wish  we  had   sought  our 
Saviour  on  the  day  of  judgment. 

See  Scriptures  to  Sketch  No.  18.    Sketch,  No.  80.    Sketch, 
No.  45.     Isaiah  xli.  10 ;  liv.  4.     John  vi.  37. 

HYMN  114  :  Come,  sinners,  to  the  gospel  feast. 
HYMN  116 :  Come,  ye  sinners,  poor  and  needy. 
HYM.V  303  :  Hosanna  to  Him. 


11 


122  ZEAL, 


XLV. 

ZEAL,  WELL  DIRECTED  AND 
CONSTANT. 

GALATIANS  iv.  18. 
"  It  is  good  to  be  zealously  affected  always  in  a  good  thing." 

I.  REFER  to  some  of  the  good  things  toward 
which  we  should  be  zealously  affected. 

1.  Toward  the  study  of  the  word  of  God. 

2.  Attendance  on  the  means  of  grace. 

3.  Persevering,  humble  prayer.     "  Men  ought 
always  to  pray,"  &c. 

4.  Pursuit  of  knowledge,  human  and  divine. 

5.  The  cause  of  missions,  and  all  other  Chris- 
tian institutions. 

6.  Particularly  Sabbath-schools. 

7.  The  exhibition  of  the  graces  of  the  Chris- 
tian character. 

II.  Why  we  should  be  zealously  affected,  &c. 

1.  Because  of  the   importance  of  the   things 
themselves. 

2 .  Because  the  mind  must  be  employed :   the 
greater  the  object  the  better. 

3.  Zealously,  because  if  a  thing  be  worth  doing 


WELL  DIRECTED   AND   CONSTANT.          123 

at  all,  it  is  worth  doing  well.    Be  a  whole  man  at 
one  thing  at  a  time. 

4.  Zealously,  because  the  work  will  be  sooner 
done,  and  better  done. 

III.  "  Always,"  &c. 

1.  Some  work  by  fits  and  starts. 

2.  Some  depend  on  special  times  and  seasons. 

3.  Sow  beside  all  waters.     "In    the   morning 
sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold  not  thy 
hand." 

4.  Life  is  brief  and  uncertain.     "  Work  while 
it  is  day." 

Application. 

1.  Do  you  love  your  Sabbath-school  ? 

2.  Are  you  zealous  in  your  attachment  to  it? 

3.  How  zealous  was  Jesus,  and  Paul,  and 

Wesley,  and  Howard ! 

1  Cor.  xv.  68.  See,  also,  scriptures  to  Sketch  6.  2  Tim. 
Iv.  2.  1  Sam.  xii.  14.  Acts  ii.  42.  John  viii.  31.  Aots 
xxvi.  22.  Rom.  ii.  7.  Heb.  xii.  1-3. 

HYMN  212 :  Awake,  my  soul,  stretch  every  nerve. 
HYMN  226  :  Labourers  of  Christ,  arise. 
HYMN  227  :  Sow  in  the  morn  thy  seed. 
HYMN  490  :  May  we  who  teach  the  rising  race. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Sketch. 

Absalom,  Character  of.....  26 
Advantage,  Taking  base..  33 

Advice,  Bad 10 

Advice,  Good 7,  19 

All  is  Well 3 

Andrew,  Character  of 6 

Asa  and  Oded 19 

Bad  Advice 10 

Bad  Company 7 

Beauty,   not  real   Excel- 
lence   26 

Barnabas,  Character  of....  22 

Call  of  Samuel 14 

Caution 7 

Character  of  Absalom 26 

Character  of  Andrew 6 

Character  of  Barnabas 22 

Character  of  Hazael 36 

Character  of  Josiah 23 

Character  of  Manasseh....  37 
Character  of  Rehoboam...  10 

Character  of  Timothy 27 

Children  belong  to  the 

Lord 39 

Children's  Hosanna 31 

Christ  receives  Little 

Children 5 

Clean  heart,  what 21 

Cleansing  our  Way.....v..  34 
124 


Sketch. 

Company,  Bad 7 

Constancy. 45 

Conversion,  Evidences  of..     6 

David  and  Saul  at  Engedi  32 
Disciple,  the  Young 6 

Education  not  Religion...  21 

Education,  .Religious 41 

Eli  and  his  Sons.., 40 

Elisha  and  Gehazi 35 

Enemies,  Kindness  to 33 

Evidences  of  Conversion..     6 
Example  of  Jesus..... 24 

Face,  seeking  the  Lord's..  30 
Faith  of  Young  Disciple...     6 

Fearing  the  Lord .20,  32 

Fears  removed 44 

Field,  the  World 43 

Future^  unknown 36 

God  hears  every  Word....  17 

God  pities  us 20 

Good  Action,  what  consti- 
tutes it 21 

Good  Advice 7,  19 

Good  Child  cautioned  and 

advised 7 

Good  Man  guarded 35 

Good  Man's  Confidence...  36 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


125 


Sketch. 

Good  Name 15 

Good  People   not  always 

right 5 

Good  Things 45 

Great  things  done  for  us..  32 
Guide,  Heavenly 1 

Happiness 42 

Hazael,  Character  of. 36 

Heart,  Clean 21 

Heart,  Decision  of. 30 

Heart  defined 28 

Heart,  giving  it  to  God...  28 

Heritage,  the  Lord's 39 

Heathen,  the 43 

Hosanna  to  Jesus 31 

House  of  God,  love  for....     4 

How  to  pray 29 

How  to  suffer,  and  how  to 

act 11 

Humility  of  Jesus 24 

Humility  of  Young  Disci- 
ple      6 

Integrity  of  Jesus 34 

Josiah,  Character  of. 23 

Journey  of  Life 1 

Joy  on  visiting  the  Sanc- 
tuary      4 

Knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  16 

Law,  use  of. 13 

Lois  and  Eunice 27 

Love  for  the  House  of  God    4 

Love  of  Jesus 22 

Love  of  Young  Disciple...     6 

Manasseh,  Character  of...  37 

Mary  seeking  Jesus 25 

Missions....  ...  43 


Name,  good 15 


Sketch. 

Obedience  to  Parents 9 

Obedience    to    Teachers, 

Ac 13 

Obedience  Sign  of  Love...  20 

Ordinances  of  men 13 

Overcome  Evil  with  Good  11 

Path  of  Life 34 

Pattern,  Jesus  our 24 

Peter  brought  to  Jesus....  6 

Pilgrim,  the  Youthful 1 

Pity  of  the  Lord 20 

Pray,  how  to 29 

Prayerfulness  of  Jesus 24 

Preaching  the  Gospel 43 

Pride 8 

Principal  Thing 12 

Pupils,  Character  of  the 

Lord's 38 

Redeemer 16 

Reformation  not  New  Cre- 
ation    21 

Rehoboam,  Folly  of. 10 

Religion  not  Hereditary..  40 

Religious  Education 41 

Remember  thy  Creator...  2 

Riches 15 

Samuel,  Call  of. 14 

Saul  and  David 33 

Secret  of  Success 22 

Seekers  encouraged 44 

Seeking  and  finding  the 

Lord.. 18 

Seeking  Jesus 25 

Seeking  the  Lord 30 

Self  denial  of  Jesus 24 

Something  to  think  of.....   32 

Songs  of  Children 31 

Soul,  Value  and  Capabili- 
ties of,  &c ! 

Study  of  Scriptures 27 

Submission  to  Instructors  13 


11* 


126 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Sketch. 
Success 22 

Suffer,  being  persecuted...  11 

Teacher,  Divine 38 

Temporal  Things 3 

Thankfulness  of  Jesus 24 

Timothy,  Character  of.....  27 

Tongue,  Use  of. 17 

Training  the  Young 41 

Usefulness     depends     on 
Holiness 22 

Vanity 26 

Virtue  true  Beauty 26 

Waiting  on  the  Lord 14 


Sketch. 

Watchfulness  of  Jesus 24 

Way,  how  to  cleanse  our..  34 
Way  of  Holiness,  Wisdom, 

Duty 41 

Wisdom  the  principal 

Thing 12 

Words,  God  hears  our 17 

World  a  Field  for  Labour.  43 

Young  Disciple 6 

Youthful  Piety 23 

Youthful  Pilgrim 1 

Youthful  Reflections 2 

Zeal,  constant 45 

Zeal  of  Jesus 24 

Zeal  of  Young  Disciple....  6 


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UCSB  LIBRARY 


